Kaieteur News

US$2B lodged at registry -Ramjattan

Public procurement officers will face full brunt of the law if found guilty of corruption - Jagdeo

GTU ready to take on Govt.'s appeal of High Court ruling on teachers' strike Electricity theft driving up light bill ...as GPL executive pegs losses at 25%

U.S Judge clears way for Exxon to pursue lawsuit on shareholder

E x x o n M o b i l allows it to take action pair could file similar

five Western oil majors believe is intended to silence Corporation (XOM) will be following a proxy resolution resolutions in the future, which does not have such constructivediscussionofits pursuing legal action against filed by two shareholders R

District Judge Mark Pittman 500 Company in April against its two shareholders.

targets. Notably, two other strategy Exxon filed a its shareholder ‘Arjuna with the company, focused Wednesday The U S shareholders of the Fortune lawsuit on January 22, 2024, Capital’. oncarbonemissions.

The U.S oil super major Although the proposal ruledthatwhileExxoncould submitted a proposal calling We

obtained a green light from waswithdrawnbythegroup, continue its case against on investors of the company reasoned, “We believe the theCourtonWednesdaythat Exxon is adamant that the Arjuna Capital, citing tovoteagainsttheelectionof action taken by Exxon jurisdiction to hear the case Executive Chair and Chief representsabroaderthreatto over a U.S.-based firm, it Executive Officer (CEO) shareholder rights amid could not pursue its claim Darren Woods at the continued concern regarding against Netherlands-based upcoming Annual Meeting, the company’s management climate activist group stemming from the legal ofclimaterisk.”

‘Follow This’, as it was

CEO, Exxon Mobil Corporation, Darren Woods

investors. investors of the company jurisdiction.

The activist groups

“disappointed, but not

Westpath Benefits and h

Investments and Mercy

surprised” the lawsuit will argued that Exxon’s legal InvestmentServicesInc.ina shareholdersvoteagainstthe c

strategy would allow the Notice to shareholders, election of the duo. They dangerous legal gambit, if company to “haul its through a Securities and explained, “Shareholders s u c c

shareholders into any court

Exchange Commission should be able to offer undermine shareholder in the United States.” “This (SEC)filing,pointedoutthat constructive solutions rights and allow corporate is an unwarranted and W o o d

leaders to stifle the ideas of c y n i c a l a

t a c k o n

Independent Director and proposals that strengthen the investors with impunity,” shareholder rights in the NominatingandGovernance company’s ab

CEOMarcieFrostsaid. world’s leading capital

Chair, Joseph Hooley have sustainably deliver on its E

market,” Follow This demonstrated disdain for the shareholders’ expectations.” shareholder meeting will be founderMarkVanBaalsaid. voiceofshareholdersandare However, they pointed out held on May 29. Arjuna C

willing to use the threat of

Capital and Follow This had Employees’ Retirement lawsuitstosilencethem. unprecedented lawsuit asked Exxon to adopt so- System (CalPERS), the

The investors described a g

called Scope 3 targets to largest public pension fund Exxon’s treatment of undermines this important reduce emissions produced in the United States, and shareholders as “hostile” lever of accountability by users of its products. another shareholder in the pointing to the legal action available to the owners of Exxon is the only one of the company, said it was taken by the company they Exxonshares.

Guyana can end up fighting in court for years to access US$2B lodged at registry

-Ramjattan

The Government that would be available to Holding Company is the oil companies admit liability of Guyana (GoG) Hess if an action had been Guarantor for CNOOC and and urges the company to canfightforyears brought by Beneficiary Exxon,respectively payup.

in court to access againstHess.” The document makes it

According to him, “[It]

the US$2B oil spill Itmustbenotedthateach clear that, “The Guarantor seemsunderthis(provision), guarantee lodged by the Co-Venturer has contributed shall be entitled to a defense the guarantor can drag it out

S

ock Co- to the US$2B guarantee, that the Environmental in Court as if it was Hess Venturers, ExxonMobil, relative to its participating Obligations claimed to be in doing so. So there is an oil

H e s s a n d C N O O C , interest in the Stabroek D

spill, Hess admits fault and Attorney-at-Law, Khemraj Block.

or askstheguarantortopay,the Ramjattanhassaid. ExxonMobil is the performed and, if any of guarantor here says “Hold F o l l o w i n g h i s operator of the oil rich Hess

Attorney-at-Law, Khemraj Ramjattan

on not so fast You, be dragged out for years in originally issued by High preliminary analysis of the acreage with a 45% interest, Obligations shall have been government, did not do the Court for the country to Court Judge, Justice Sandil document, Ramjattan said whil

H

G

d or certain things and so accesstheoilspillguarantee. Kissoon called for an the terms of the contract Exploration Ltd. holds 30% performed,theobligationsof contributed to spill ” Appeal Court Judge, unlimited parent company stipulates “In any suit interest and CNOOC the Guarantor under this Government then sues the Justice Rishi Persaud had guarantee to be provided to brought by the Beneficiary Petroleum Guyana Limited Section 3.3 shall be reduced guarantor and the guarantor ordered ExxonMobil the EPA by June 10 or the (GoG) against the Guarantor holds25%interest. by the amount of such can then, by virtue of this Guyana to lodge a US$2B Liza Phase One Project to enforce its obligations Jamestown Insurance paymentorperformance.” provision, say we have a parent and/or affiliate Permitwouldbesuspended. under this Guarantee and Company Limited is the To this end, Ramjattan defence, although Hess does company guarantee as a Consequently, the Indemnity Agreement, the Guarantor for Hess; while explained that the guarantor not want to use it, but we the condition to a stay of Guarantee and Indemnity Guarantorshallbeentitledto CNOOC Limited, a has opted to have the right to Guarantorwill.” executiongrantedonalower Agreement was entered into assert any defense (legal, company organized in Hong defenditselfagainstGuyana, As such, the Attorney court’s order That order, onJune9,2023. contractual, or otherwise) Kong and Exxon Equity the beneficiary, even if the cautioned that the matter can

Hess-Chevronmergervoteappears ripefornarrowapproval

HOUSTON (Reuters) - announced. Every quarter

a right of refusal does not alsohelpbalanceoverrunsat Hess Corp CEO John Hess the merger is delayed, its apply to sale of the entire C

n has until Tuesday to quell a shareholders lose the chance

liquefied natural gas (LNG) rebellion by shareholders for a dividend payment from

projects, hit by labor and over his handling of what Chevron -- a major incentive Chevron could walk away operatingtroubles. could turn out to be one of since Chevron's dividend is fromthedealwithoutpaying A spokesperson said the largest mergers in oil four times bigger than the a break-up fee. In recent Chevron "looks forward to industry history: a proposed Hesspayout. private meetings, John Hess Hess obtaining a successful US$53 billion sale of the oil “This is the mother of all told investors he did not shareholder vote and producertoChevronCorp. embarrassments,” said a know Exxon's end game completing the transaction Hess, 70, has spent the London-based investor who withthearbitration.IfExxon on the terms of our merger pastmonthvisitingorcalling declinedtobenamed,adding succeeds, Hess and Chevron agreement " Last month, dozens of investors to gather that if Hess shareholders say they would call off the CEO Michael Wirth said support. approve this deal, chances deal, and Hess said this Chevron would be in good

“The longer this takes,

The sale seemed all but willfadeforahigherbid. would mean Exxon could shape regardless of the the more I would begin to Shareholder Services (ISS) certain last fall and Hess still TIGHTSCOREBOARD not exercise its right of first acquisition Some Hess

appears poised to win, based Three firms - HBK

refusalontheGuyanaassets. shareholders wonder if proposition of this merger,” abstention to give more time on Reuters' interviews with Capital Management, D.E. If the arbitration succeeds Exxon would make a higher said Roy Behren, co- for details of the arbitration large investors. But support Shaw & Co, and Pentwater and Chevron walks away, offer for the Guyana assets president of Westchester case to emerge. Rival Glass has slipped in recent weeks Capital Management - have Hess would have few than what they would get Capital Management, which Lewis, recommended a vote with more investment funds stated they are not ready to alternate buyers given the from Chevron's bid for the holds US$317 million in in favor, saying the Chevron voicing concerns about the givetheirgoahead.Together pre-emption right to any company Hess shares and is deal merits are sound and deal. theyholdalmost6%ofHess. future deal, said Biraj There are no legal considering an abstention. offer Hess shareholders a

A lengthy U.S. federal Another three investors filed Borkhataria, an energy impediments to an Exxon The delays have shrunk premium. Top investment regulatory review and a lawsuitstodelayorblockthe analyst with researcher RBC offer before Tuesday, but expectedprofitsforarbitrage firm Vanguard Group, with surprise arbitration vote, backed by a flood of CapitalMarkets. Exxon has said it wanted to funds that pounced on Hess 10% of Hess shares, holds challengefromExxonMobil letters to Hess management Chevronsorelyneedsthe have its rights over the shares after the deal was the largest individual stake. haveputabout40%ofshares complaining it failed to deal to keep up with rival Guyana asset affirmed announced betting it would Votes of its portfolio outstanding on the fence, disclose legal and regulatory Exxon, which this month before making any decision close in the first quarter managers could swing the interviews show That could issues that could delay the closed its US$60 billion on a bid. Exxon has also said Fayez Sarofim & Co, outcome. Vanguard declined makeitharderforHesstoget transactionbyuptooneyear acquisitionofshaleproducer it would not seek to acquire Invesco and Barrow Hanley todiscloseitsvote. more than 50% of the 308 Six large investors who Pioneer Natural Resources. Hess as a whole. “I don't see which hold some 3% of millionsharesoutstandingto spoke with Reuters under The lucrative Guyana how Exxon can bid (for outstanding shares worth win approval, even though condition of anonymity oilfields from Hess would Hess) when they have said about US$1.5 billion, are This year, Exxon and he can count on his family estimated firms holding help Chevron hedge they would not,” said oil expected to vote yes, partner CNOOC Ltd filed an shares along with other about 40% of the company's

EXXON AS POSSIBLE SPOILER

geopolitical risks associated analyst Paul Sankey, from according to people familiar arbitration case claiming directors and management, stock have decided or are with TengizChevroil project Sankey Research firm with the matter The three they have a first right of for about 10%. Hess has lost strongly considering in Kazakhstan, which moves “Unless they wait a while, firms declined requests for refusal to buy Hess' Guyana aboutUS$5billioninmarket abstaining, essentially a no most of its oil across Russia and things change a lot. I comment. Influential proxy assets.ChevronandHesssay value since the deal was vote. to a Black Sea port. It would meanyears.”

KaieteurNews

PrintedandPublishedbyNationalMedia& PublishingCompanyLtd. 24SaffonStreet, Charlestown,Georgetown,Guyana.

Publisher:GLENNLALL-TEL:624-6456

Editor:NIGELWILLIAMS

Tel:225-8465,225-8491. Fax:225-8473,226-8210

EDITORIAL

Belle Vue Pump Station

TheBelleVuePumpStationcontractawardfor$865M presentsastudyinhowthePPPCGovernmentconductsthe business of the taxpaying public. Everycentofthat$865M awardisbeingbornebytaxpayingcitizens,andallthatonehas todoisstartwiththeawarditself,proceedtotheEnvironmental ProtectionAgency(EPA)andcloseoutwiththeEnvironmental Assessment Board (EAB) From all indications, the trust of Guyaneseisbeingtakenadvantageof,withshabbyoutcomes happeningrepeatedly

The $865M contract was awarded by the National ProcurementandTenderAdministrationBoard(NPTAB)to Tepui Group, Inc. The award raised a firestorm of condemnation on NPTAB. TheTepui Group did not meet statedtechnicaleligibilitycriteriafortheproject,including related experience and the knowhow to deliver Yet the contract was awarded to this questionable group, so palpablydeficient. Itwasnotthefirsttimethatwhatreeks ofpoliticalinfluence,anddiscardedprocesses,hasmetwith the approval of NPTAB. The oversight Public Procurement Commission was forced to declare, after much foot-dragging and an artfully worded report, that the contract award was flawed in several respects, the evaluation process was not credible Still, the $865M contract award, troubling in the beginning,andworseningwitheverynewdevelopmentsince, hasbeenleftalone,notwithstandingallthefuriousobjections, withworkproceeding Now,itisscheduledtobecompletedby August After all the noise from the political opposition, protests from some voices in civil society, and the negative report of the procurement commission, the status quo remained,viz.,zwronghasnotbeenrighted,andlegitimate biddersmeetingalltheeligibilityrequirementslostagain.

TherewereevensomecriticalcommentsfromthePPPC Governmentitself,includingnolessanauthoritativefigure thanVicePresidentJagdeoaboutwhohasthepowertotake corrective action. But it all came to nought with the unsupportable practices of NPTAB left to stand, as in no cure. In this country, justice has its limitations, those to whom it applies, those who are exempt. It is how prearranged deals come to life, with one fix after another insertedintopublicprocessestoassuresmoothpassagefor thosewithcloserelationshipstohighgovernmentandparty officials. Guyanese taxpayers pay a tough price on each occasionandarecontinuallymadeintofools.

TheEPAgotintotheactwithitsconclusionthatthe$865M BelleVuePumpStationcontractandassociatedworksdidnot need an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) We are searchingourmemoryforthelasttimethattheEPAdecidedthat anEIAwaswarrantedonanyprojectandorderedone Instead ofbeingkeentoprotecttheinterestsandwelfareofGuyanese, theEPAisperfectlycontenttobeapartnerincharades The stream of farces in that it pushes into the public domain as representative of fulfilling its critical responsibilities in a convincing manner To extend the pretense of vigilance for Guyanese,theEPAwaskindenoughtoopena30-daywindow for the lodging of objections or concerns with project In a country with public institutions renowned and revered for their honest and believable commitment to their sensitive duties, the EPA’s 30-day window for healthy public input wouldbelaudable. Sadtosay,Guyana’spublicinstitutions, almost without exception, are in tatters, delivering shams and cons to mislead citizens. Public consultations and windowsforobjectionsarewellknownlocallyforthejokesthey havebecome,withoilconsultationsthebiggestjokesaround To bringthecomedyfullcirclewiththissordid$865MBelleVue Pump Station contract, the EPA referred the concerned and objectingtowritetotheEAB,thickeningthejoke.TheEABis partofthecontinuuminthissordidpumpstationsoapopera. A localcourtrecentlypronouncedtwoofthethreememberssitting onitspanelashavingaconflictofinterest. Howcouldtheynot havesuch,whentheirbreadcomesfromagovernment(PPPC) whereflawsandfarcesaresupportedbylayersuponlayers ofspecialkindsoffixes. Torepeattheobvious,the$865M BelleVuePumpStationawardisseenasmerelythetipofa bigiceberg.

Paying a fine to see the Commissioner of Police

DEAREDITOR

, Permit me a space in yourdailytopenthisletter I am a Guyanese by birth and also a Licensed Firearm Holder I do frequent the Police Headquarters in Eve-Leary to transact professional business.

O

occasions I visited the headquarters to transact business, be it licenses renewal, purchasing of ammunition or even to see theCommissionerofPolice. On all occasions I am beinggreetedbyTSUpolice atthemaingate,whilemany of

supervisorwhoIassumedis

a Sergeant having three stripes on his shoulder and goesbythenameofPersaud constantly bangs on visitors to “leave a raise” or “left something for the boys” before you can see the Commissioner of Police or transactanybusiness.

If you leave that raise then you won’t have to be searched before you enter thecompound.

If you don’t then you’ll face the wrath of being harassed.

Recently I visited the Police Headquarters and hadn’t had any cash on me andbecauseIcouldnotleave a raise, Mr Persaud refused to let me see the CommissionerofPoliceand

refused to let me access the Police Headquarters compound.

His words were that “Commissioner not seeing nobody, he ain’t deh”. Mind youthatafewminutesafter, while I was still there, someone who I presumed to be friends with Persaud cameandaskedtogoseethe Commissioner, he allowed that individual to enter the compound.

Mr Persaud’s words to him were “When you come down you gon deal with me”.

All this was done in the presenceofaboutthreeother police who were present at thetime.

This same behavior was

meted out to three of my friendswhoarebusinessmen after I told them what had happened to me and they shared their experiences The Guyana Police Force and the Commissioner of Police have a mandate to serve and protect the Citizens of this country and whiletheCommissionerhas an open door policy, his ranksaremandatingcitizens to pay up before seeing him whichdoesnotlookgoodon the Force as a whole. Such behavior should not be toleratedandareviewofthe operations entering the Police Headquarters should beineffect.

Regards, DisappointedCitizen

Humans are wired to know the difference between wrong and right

DEAREDITOR

Humans are wired to knowwhatisrightandwhat is wrong. Someone told me inconversationrecentlythat the very fact that the PPP have to bribe people to get support is testimony to that reality The person further stated that the PPP knows that in relation to governance, they have messed up so much that buying people’s support and votesisanadmissionoftheir corruptrule.

Humansdonotliketobe forced into wrongdoing However, people do things they shouldn’t because of circumstances and convenience It doesn’t mean that the conversation theyhavewiththemselvesis the same they have with others.DuringthelastLocal

Government Elections, a woman told me that she identified openly with the PPP, took their money and woretheteeshirt. She said two things that will stay with me forever The first, is that the PPP asked her to take a picture whilevotingsothattheycan see she voted for them Secondly, she explained what caused her to vote against them. She said she had still not gotten over the nightmare of the most gruesome and horrific murders of two young boys; theHenryboys.Shesaidthe PPP was complicit in those murders because of their deliberate actions to cover up those crimes That influencedwheresheplaced herx.

Manyaretakingthelittle

loans and contracts the PPP are offering while admitting that the administration is so rotten that it is polluting Guyana and citizens are suffering like they have never before What Guyanesewanttobeassured ofiswhoandwhattheywill be replacing the PPP with and that’s a very good question.Wecannothavean exchange where citizens continue to face the same reality

That is why in two weeks, I will publicly endorse who I wish to see lead the PNCR, the opposition and who will inevitably become the next president. And trust me, I knowthedifferencebetween right and wrong. I will be endorsing with my conscience and not because

of convenience. The person that leads Guyana MUST changeforeverhowwetreat our citizens; all of our citizens.

The PPP will inevitably be out of power in 2025. There are thousands of Indo Guyanese that will not vote for the PPP because of Dharamlall. Women do not look at ethnicity when their women folk are raped and abused and the monster is protectedbythegovernment and party they support Humans are wired to know the difference between wrong and right. Lock them alone in the ballot box and they will vote their conscience.

Sincerely

NormanBrowne Social and

Political Activist

Gridlock at the Demerara Harbour Bridge: ACall for Improved Traffic Management

DEAREDITOR

The daily commute across the Demerara Harbour Bridge has become increasingly frustrating due to a lack of effective traffic management on the west coast Demerara approach. While two lanes exist to streamline traffic flow, impatient drivers exploit these by cutting in the outer line,creatingcongestionand delays.

What is particularly concerning is the apparent indifference of some

stationed traffic officers and the assistant superintendent Maniram Jagnanan They seem to turn a blind eye to such behavior, particularly whentheoffendersappearto be personally acquainted (Friends and Family Membersoftrafficranksand M. Jagnanan).This not only undermines the purpose of the designated lanes on the westcoastdemerarabutalso createsasenseofunfairness for law-abiding drivers who patientlywaittheirturn.

Toaddressthissituation,

I propose a two-pronged approach:

· Strengthening Police

s strategically near the dividingconeswouldactasa deterrent to queue jumping. Their active enforcement would ensure a smoother trafficflowforeveryone.

Enhancing Patrols:

Assigningatrafficofficeron a motorbike to patrol the area, especially during peak morning hours (6:00 AM to 7:00 AM), would allow for

swift intervention and maintain order throughout thequeue.

Implementing these m e a s u r e s w o u l d demonstrate a commitment to fair traffic management and deter the rampant disregard for established procedures. This, in turn, would contribute to a more positive perception of law enforcement and promote a culture of respect for regulations.

ConsideringGuyana’s (Continuedonpage06)

Potpourri-FreddieKissoon,VishnuBisramandAGNandlall

DEAREDITOR, Guyanese must be thankful for Kaieteur News. It is the ultimate in ‘free press.’The publisher has no ‘dog’in this political battle. He just allows free range to both pro and anti government opinions No wonder it has the largest readership and sales, and

dwarfs the Guyana Chronicle and Guyana Times, both being mere P P P / C p a r t y propagandizers.

Editor, I have two pressing issues to touch on, and they are interrelated First, I have problems with the article, “Jagdeo and

I r f a a n r e m a i n enormously popular,” by Vishnu Bisram, May 22, 2024, in the Guyana Times. In this piece, Bisram stated that “One should not attach muchmeaningtotheranking

of the PPP Central Committee vote at its Congress.

(Where) PresidentAli is ranked number one, higher than party leader Bharrat Jagdeo, who is number two, as the vote at the PPP Congress revealed The two are a team ”

Bisram continued,

s t a t i n g t h a t “ M y conversations revealed that Irfaan is more liked than Jagdeo among certain categories or groups of voters, such as Muslims andAfricans.

I travelled around the country last week, and

again last February, November, October, August, and May, to conduct surveys on popularity and various contemporary issues I can attest that both Irfaan and Jagdeo are enormously popular, almost equally among the population, especially among supporters of the PPP Now these are my

questions: Conversations withwhom,withhowmany, what areas in the country, andwhereisthetabulation?

Unlessapollorsurveyis documented,itismereguess w o r k , b a s e d o n commonsense and everyday observation and street talk. The obvious needs no investigation.

Look at this piece of stupidity: “ Irfaan is more liked than Jagdeo among certain categories or groups of voters ” Is this a finding? Does this require a poll or survey?

This is as silly as saying ‘Some people like Shivnarine Chanderpaul, whileotherslikeBrianLara.

Another no-brainer: “Many groups prefer Vivian Richards,whileothersprefer SunilGavaskar.”

This is nonsensical and most unworthy of beingpublished

Secondly, I hope

readers go back to

Freddie Kissoon (on Bisram) on Jul 10, 2008, in his attack on Vishnu

Bisram titled, “Mr

Bismuth Bisram in

Grenada is due in Guyana ”

In this error-riddled and envy-laced attack, Freddie Kissoon got so personal, his minutiae of a point got lost. First, he tries to make a mockery of Visnu Bisram, telling readers that “Just in case you don’t know, bismuth is a chemical in the periodic table. It is outside the scope of this essay to

describe its properties but one of its values is its changing form. I am using the word here in that context.”

What a joke? Any Chemistry student will do the ‘Presidential Jiggle’ on this.Why?

Fact: “Although

bismuth-209 is now known to be radioactive, it has classically been considered to be a ‘stable’ (yesindeed)isotopebecause it has a half-life of approximately 2 01×1019 years, which is more than a billion times the age of the universe.”

That man Freddie is either a dummy, or he knows that people seldom pay attention to him and his ‘supposed’ irrefutable facts. Henotedinthatpiece,andin fact anticipated that “It may comeacrossasfunnytoyou (readers) to read me referring to Vishnu Bisram as Bismuth Bisram but I havenojocularintention.

I believe Vishnu Bisram’s ‘changing forms’ have caught up withhim ”

Now,talkaboutchange!

ThisisFreddiebeforehis venalconversion.

“I don’t see the PPP surviving in a physiological statethatwouldallowittobe an energized competitor in

thenextelectionin2020.

In my column of December 19, 2014 titled, “ThePPPwillphysicallydie should it lose power,” I explained why the PNC survived after 1992, but the PPP will not after May 2015.”

Laugh the protean ‘analyst.’

Hisboastwasthat“Once the PPP falls from power, it willdie.

All PPP leaders are scaredofthisreality.”

IrecalltooinJune2008, Freddiein“TimeforthePPP toreininMr Jagdeo,”stated that“One of my vexations, which I relayed to all those PPP insiders that I have confidentially discussed Jagdeo with, is how could the PPP allow someone WITHOUT ANY ‘intel

c brilliance’, ‘political finesse’ , ‘visionary ideals’, ‘philosophical smartness’ and ‘unique ideas’, like Mr Jagdeo, to havehumbledtheentirePPP leadership the way he has done.”

Well, this is the time to champion this, as Jagdeo is not the President, and he, Freddie Kissoon, can urge his chief deity, IrfaanAli, to dohisbid.

After all, he, Freddie

Kissoon is a hypnotic, almost fetish devotee, of PresidentIrfaanAli.

Nowletmemakeaquick remark concerning Prescott Mann’s letter, “Is AG Anil Nandlall on his way out?” (May22,2024).

The writer quite rightly said that “I will need too much time and space to itemise Anil Nandlall’s

‘ g o l d e n r o l e ’ i n delivering the PPP/C

from the throes of APNU/AFC and keeping theminpower ”(adding that) I will boldly claim, that in Guyana’s history, legally and politically,

Anil has no close second ” Editor, I do agree, but with a note of explanation. Anil Nandlall, during this post 1992 era, has emerged as to the ‘ultimate’ not just for the PPP/C, but the countryasawhole. His example in public life, neutrality in pronouncementonissues, and his willingness to serve, pro-bono, remain unequalled He does not need the PPP/C, nor even

the country, yet he serves faithfully, and has indeed racked up a very enviable resume

Jagan and Burnham are from a different era. Theirroleswerefarremoved from Anil’s and there is no need to compare and contrast.

Anil ‘saved the day’ whenitmostmattered. How he mustered this mentalenergyisbeyondme.

However, there will come a time when he will have to comment on the many clandestine issues within the PPP/C, the reasons for keeping him out of the inner circle, the Dharamlall matter, the Mahdia cover-up, Critic’s contract, President Ali’s academic authentication and maybe a host of others

His silence now is understandably strategic, but if and when dumped, he MUST finish the good work he has started, whether or not he accedes thePresidency

Yours truly

Gaylord Riley

GTU must return to the conciliation process

with other salary scales What is significant is the sharpincreasebetween2022 and 2023 ranging from $42,967(23.6%)to$58,933 (17.3%)acrossthescales.

DEAREDITOR

The Minister of

Education Hon Priya Manickchand launched a trenchantcritiqueagainstthe GTU’s for issuing an ultimatum to resume strike actiononMay16,2024,and

therefore halt the conciliation process provided for in the 1990 AvoidanceandSettlementof Disputes Agreement. “My conclusion could only be that they intended to derail this process. They do not intendtohaveaconciliation. They want to keep teachers ontheroad.Theywanttobe disruptive to the education system.And we believe that is politically, directed because no one who has the interest of children at heart could tell me that this is a goodplacetobein.”

Minister Manickchand emphasizes that the request [for an interim payment of 20% across the board to teachers before conciliation proceeds] by the Union was not only unreasonable but thattheGovernment“would not sign off on the Union’s request and would also not negotiateunderduress.”The education minister further contends that GTU was settinga“verybadprecedent not only for the Guyana Government but for Governments across the region.” The government is opentoconsideringamultiyearcontracteffective2024. It is apparent that the GTU has been emboldened by the High Court which ruled that the GTU strike is legal, and that the government must pay

teachers for the days they were on strike as well as requiring the Ministry of Education to continue deducting union dues on behalfoftheunion.Attorney General Anil Nandlall disagrees with Judge Sandil Kissoon’s ruling and has filed an appeal on May 22, 2024.

What does the existing data tell us? First, why would any government favorably consider retroactivepayovera5-year period (2019-2023), part of which was under a different administration, and when funds had already been exhausted in the respective nationalbudgets?Oilmoney is not over-flowing the public treasury It is noted that 28 9% ($US 1 586 billion) of oil revenues

wouldfundseveralessential infrastructure projects in 2024. The estimated cost of GTU’s demand for an interim 20% pay would be almost $1 (G) billion ($933 807 million) How feasible is this demand viewed against a projected 2024budgetdeficitof$US1 billion?

Second, the monthly salary level across all scales ranged from $181,941 (Untrained Graduate) to $340,802 (Graduate HM 6th) However, when an untrained teacher graduates, themaximumofthatscaleis set at $224,908 (after a graduate allowance is included) A comparable situation applies to the Graduate HM 6th scale whichissetat$399,795.The table illustrates the situation

Third, I have tapped into the rich experience of several teachers who provided the following data to me. Teachers are entitled to 7 days urgent private affairs leave and 3 days manager’s sick leave, plus 28 days medical sick leave. They are also eligible to apply for up to 3 months’ special leave to be granted by the Chief Education Officer Furthermore, they are entitled to one month leavewithpayevery4years in accordance with Whitley Council provision. Teachers alsoarerequiredtoworkfor 39weeksperyearandnot52 weeksasothercategoriesof state workers. They also have access to GOAL scholarships(ofwhich3,386 or % of teachers have already benefitted), not to mentionaccesstosubsidized housing, house lots, as well as duty free allowances on motorvehicles,etc. With these generous benefitsandallowances,one wonderswhethertheGTUis acting in the best interest of teachers! Is GTU ignoring the concerns of parents and the needs of students? Concerns have been raised about the credibility of the GTU.Iftheyareresponsible and committed to transparency, why did they failtosubmitannualreports for decades to the Registrar of Deeds and Commercial Registries Authority since 2006andtotheOfficeofthe AuditorGeneralsince1989?

Finally, no class of workers is privileged to be treated differently from other classes. Covid-19 has taught us that all categories of workers are important. Let the evidence (facts) and not extraneous factors determine the outcome of negotiations.TheGTUmust return to the conciliation process!

Regards Dr.TaraSingh

Gridlock at the Demerara...

Frompage04 rankingontheTransparency International Corruption Perception Index (currently 87th), addressing these concerns becomes even more critical. By ensuring fair and efficient traffic flow, we can not only ease

congestion but also send a strong message against favoritism.

Thankyouforyourtime andconsideration.

Sincerely, Frustrated West Coast Driver

Parrot-like Jagdeo

Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo, the self-appointed oil guru, who has no experience or known qualifications, during his weekly cuss-out yesterday sought to discredit former Head of the Environmental Protection Agency, Dr. Vincent Adams.

Jagdeo who is known for attacking every voice that questions his controversial management of the oil and gas sector accused Dr. Adams of being part of a group that has little knowledge of the industry but instead repeats in “parrotlike” manner the “jaundiced views” of some.

At least Dr. Adams worked in the industry in the US before taking up a job here. Where did Jagdeo work to or hone is skills in oil and gas. A laughing stock of the petroleum world and a rank, incompetent administrator who was a piss poor president of this country.

He spent his time scrambling for words but should have instead spared the media of his tiring repetitious rants.

Full court dismisses appeal by attorney

TheFullCourtoftheHighCourton

the court ordered SOCU to issue an Thursday dismissed an appeal by apology to Clarke and awarded her attorney Tamieka Clarke, now a $700,000 in damages and $250,000 in magistrate, in the case against the costs. Attorney General (AG),Anil Nandlall,

Magistrate, Tamieka Clarke

During Thursday’s hearing the SC. Attorney General objected to the Full Clarke had appealed a decision by Court’s jurisdiction to hear Clarke’s acting Chief Justice Roxane George, appeal,arguingthatitshouldhavebeen SC, which awarded her $700,000 in filed with the Court of Appeal, as it damages and $250,000 in costs. The involved a final decision on the case originated from an incident on enforcement of fundamental rights. October 28, 2022, when Clarke was After considering submissions from detained for under an hour by ranks of both parties, the Full Court upheld the the Special Organized Crime Unit AG’s objection, ruling that the appeal (SOCU) at their headquarters in should indeed be directed to the Court Georgetown Clarke subsequently ofAppeal.Additionally, the Full Court filed a Fixed Date Application, suing awarded the Attorney General settlement offers, all of which were theStateforbreachofherfundamental $200,000 in costs.TheAG represented rejected by Clarke.As such, the matter right to liberty underArticle 139 of the

himself, supported by attorneys proceeded to a hearing on June 12, Constitution. She sought declaratory

Shoshanna V Lall, Laurel Dundas, 2023,wheretheAGconcededliability, ordersanddamagesforherdetention.

Aruna Budhram, and Ismat Bacchus. leaving only the compensation amount Nandlall had publicly apologised Clarke was represented by attorneys to be decided. On November 17, 2023, for the incident and made several NigelHughesandShawnShewram.

Electricity theft driving up light bill

...as GPLexecutive pegs losses at 25%

Head of the Executive Management Committee of the Guyana Power & Light (GPL), Kesh Nandlall, on Wednesday revealed that electricity theft is responsible forthehighconsumerbills.

He made the disclosure during his appearance before the Parliamentary Sectoral Committee on Economic Services. Nandlall disclosed thattechnicalandcommercial loses from GPL’s system is currently about 25%. While being questioned by Committee member, Juan Edghill on what percentage of the losses is in relation to electricity theft, the GPL is having on the general executive disclosed that the delivery of electricity to the company has determined the entire network Nandlall figure to be about 13% responded, “The impact, Edghill asked, “have we been normally my experience with able, based upon your other utilities that there is a technical expertise to isolate naturallostfactorthatautility the areas where we are having will face and that’s dependent significant electricity theft?”

o n t h e In his response, Nandlall infrastructure somewhere revealed that the company is aroundthreetofivepercent.” unabletodoso.

He continued that

To this end, he explained naturally with GPL losses that in order to do so it would being around 25%; it is require a significant amount i n c r e a s i n g t h e c o s t of investment in terms of significantly Nandlall metering the feeders, to know explained that what GPL is thepreciselocationofthebulk selling is 25% less than what of the electricity theft losses. is being generated. “So it’s “We are working. We have costing the company and it several programmes that we requires you to generate are working on…some of it more,” the executive added. can be challenging and risky This publication recently towards our employees but reported that consumers on there are several programmes the Demerara-Berbice that we are continuously Interconnected System working on to reduce (DBIS) can expect relief from electricitytheftorcommercial frequent blackouts, as losses,“Nandlalladded. Nandlall, announced that the Additionally, Edghill company is currently meeting askedhowsevereofanimpact demand. thatfigureofelectricitylosses

Head of the Executive Management Committee of the Guyana Power & Light (GPL), Kesh Nandlall

China slams US claims of ‘overcapacity’

(CHINA DAILY) The accusation made by the United States of China’s “overcapacity” in the new energysectorisa“complete deviationfromfacts”,China said, slamming the US for practicingprotectionism.

“China’s capacity in the new energy industry is an advanced capacity urgently needed by the green transition of the world economy It’s not overcapacity,” Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang WenbinsaidonWednesday

Wa n g m a d e t h e comments at a regular news conference, dismissing US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen’s remarks Yellen saidinGermanyonTuesday that China’s industrial capacity is “leading to productionthatsignificantly exceeds global demand in key sectors, including electricvehicles,lithium-ion batteriesandsolar”,andthat this will be a focus on the Group of Seven meetings in Italy this week. In response, WangsaidtheUSaccusation isprotectionistinnature.

Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin

Settingupbarriers

Ifovercapacitymeansan increase in exports, “don’t the large annual exports of soybeans,planesandnatural gas by the US constitute overcapacity?”hesaid.

The US is trying to coerceG7membercountries into setting up barriers against China’s new energy productsunderthepretextof “overcapacity”, Wang said.

“This goes against the trend of openness and win-win cooperation, not only harming the interests of consumers in related countries, but also disrupting and undermining the global green transition,” thespokesmansaid. WangcalledontheUSto abandon protectionism to better address climate change. The US should not

ask China to take on more responsibility to respond to climate change on the one hand, while engaging in protectionism and stopping the world from benefiting fromChina’sgreenproducts ontheother,hesaid.

The growth of China’s newenergysectorisaresult of its companies’ technological development andopencompetition,Wang said, adding that China hopes to deepen supply chain cooperation with all othercountries.

“We hope all countries will stick to open cooperation and reject protectionism,”hesaid.

Israel’s 2-day raid in

West

Bank kills 12 Palestinians

(AP) The Palestinian Health Ministry said the operation killed 12 Palestinians and wounded 25 others The Israeli military launched the operation on Tuesday in the city of Jenin and adjacent urban refugee camp as part of a crackdown against militants in the area

C h a i r m a n o f t h e administrative Board of the Jenin Camp youth Center

Abdul Jabbar Shalabi said “Buildings, streets, infrastructure” were all destroyed.APVideobyAref

Tufaha, Production Jalal Bwaitel

The Israeli military said Thursdayithascompleteda two-day operation in the occupiedWestBankthatthe Palestinian Health Ministry says killed 12 Palestinians and wounded 25. Militant groupsclaimedatleasteight ofthedeadasfighters.

Hamas, diminished but not deterred in Gaza, is still puttingupafightafterseven brutal months of war with Israel,regroupinginsomeof the hardest-hit areas in northernGazaandresuming

rocket attacks into nearby Israeli communities The United Nations’ top court says it will rule Friday on South Africa’s latest urgent request for a cease-fire in Gaza. South Africa accuses Israel of committing genocide against the Palestinians, a charge Israel vehementlydenies.

Rippling tensions from the war were felt in the Red Sea on Thursday, where a missilesplasheddowninthe water near the crucial Bab el-MandebStraitbutcaused nodamage.

H@RD TRUTHS

Vindhya Persaud: an unauthorised profile

I lodge this position right plenty on her shoulders, with taken advantage of, of quality and character that times, a daughter that away in this first sentence: her footsteps, the works of endangered, and shredded of are immaculate. At least, Guyana weeps for when Vindhya Persaud is a decent her hands, freighted by great precious dignity Their there is trying for that ideal. the grim traumas of the daughter of Guyana. Dr expectations. inviolablerightsharmed,and Today I look to Dr Vindhya seasons compile and Vindhya, if I may be allowed The children of Guyana that power of citizenship, Vasini Persaud, minister, multiply I think she is country By assignment, by thepresumptuousness,isalso see a mother There is no which neither man nor panditai, and most of all a capableofbeingsoanddoing identification,muchhasbeen a medical doctor, with both politics in such reverence woman nor beast should woman who must, due to the so. One of these days, I placed in the hands of Dr Hippocratic and personal from the young, simply the interfere with, profane, d e m a n d s o f o u r promise to essay something Vindhya Persaud. It is my oaths binding her to certain trust of the innocent. The rupture For what is circumstances, do more than textured for Anil Nandlall, duty to deposit still more standards Of care and women of this battered and enrapturingtothemselves. rise to her potential in all Irfaan Ali, and Bharrat within the cup of her fingers. compassion. Of a mind bruised society look for a I pause. For those who thosecapacities. Jagdeo And certainly She must clasp them and run clinical, but with a heart protector, and in Vindhya all are rubbing their hands in Vindhya must soar Aubrey Norton. I wish there with them, as if her life propelled by wisdom about of this should reside with anticipation that I am writing beyondthem. Ithinkshehas were others on the horizon to depended on them. Not the

. With today about Ms. Vindhya all the tools that are so direly whom I could look, share a kind of life in which silence Impeccable, they must be, doggedness to scale any with an eye toArthur Chung, needed here. Now she must handshake, even lean and hesitance feature notwithstandingtherealityof obstacle, from deep within Imustdisappointthem. Why have the heart of a lioness, forwardtoembrace. prominently, but one that human limitations, human her circle or on the outside desecrate our consciousness one that dares to take those If I don't have it in me, glows with virtues that no

h u m a n wheretheclamorforaheadis and consciences, why pierce stepsthatjustcouldtakeusas then who could, would? If I man can question, for they vulnerabilities. alwaysabouttheunrelenting. some more the honour of this a people and as a society to don'teventry,thenwhoisleft stand unchallenged and

I understand that Indeed,herportfolio-official, country, and its women, my s o m e w h e r e t h a t i s in Guyana? My Lord, my unconquerable. Vindhya, using the privilege personal, national-is a sisters all. Today is not for profoundlydifferent. God,theremustbeaknitter,a If some think this is of age, is a woman stepped manual consisting of many pounding anyone, most of all If I may be forgiven for healer hoping against hope, it is d e e p l y i n t i m e l e s s pages and chapters. Some of Vindhya. venturing into sacred space, From her learning and asking too much, I have a spirituality, the leader of a them, too many of them, Itissearching,struggling her family has given much to training,fromherlineageand simple answer First, the d

i g i o u s about how the distressed, the throughthethornythicketsof this country Vindhya must the age in which she lives, question: if not, then what community Man! Does this naïve, and callow in this our existence, our times, our not falter, for her roles must Vindhya must show the else have we got, to what is woman of Guyana have country can be deceived, dismay, for answers, for a be that of a groundbreaker world that she is a woman of life now reduced? And, partner For anyone and and a difference-maker She substance, one with latent finally, think of the anything that I fervently must stand for something, storied mileage At the possibilities, as charted by a believe offers a spark of those things that always are barest minimum, she must new kind of man and woman hope, some iota of outside the grasp of our drag herself to manifest the in this Guyana that is new confidence, that there can be fingertips. majesty of spirit that could And unknown. I think those abetterGuyana.

A Guyana gifted with often the fingers are not even this country, and none more started.. more than lush natural unfurled, much less thanthewomen.

The restraint is that too come to mean so much for other portraits must be

(The views expressed in resources. A Guyana graced outstretched, reaching for I write today not as this article are those of the with human resources that whatcouldbe. Allthegiftsin scribes do. I write as a author and do not areformidableandadmirable the universe. There must be neighbor, as a fellow necessarily reflect the because such are, at the some guts to go along with sojourner, as a believer and, o p i n i o n s o f t h i s individual molecules and those.Vindhyahastoriseand most of all, as a helper to the newspaper.) cells that make life what it is, deliver A shaper of her afflicted and outcasts of this

ExxonMobil wants Guyana to pay for HQ workshop held in Houston, Texas - audit reveals

Arecent review of integrated operations however was held at recoverthechargesclaimed. for ExxonMobil's Guyana was pointed out that under t h e C o s t strategyworkshop. ExxonMobil's Houston,

According to VHE

Section 2 of Annex C of the

Consulting, the strategy maximising value and P

S

a t e m e n t international financial headquarters, and while it workshop was conducted minimising erosion across Agreement, recoverable submitted by ExxonMobil's services firm that deals with was intended to analyze solely for ExxonMobil's all operating assets in the costsmustbedirectlyrelated subsidiary, Esso Exploration taxes, audits and other legal ExxonMobil's Guyana corporate purposes, and was region. to Petroleum Operations, and Production Guyana matters In an

udit operations the auditor's delivered to EEPGL's parent T h

, defined as activities for Limited (EEPGL), now c o n d u c t e d b y V H E

findings said the workshop company rather than the co- Evaluating potential value prospecting or production of called ExxonMobil Guyana Consulting and relates to the was not directly related to venture partners in the drivers for individual petroleum As such, the Limited (EMGL) has expend

ncurred the Stabroek Petroleum Stabroek Block, namely Guyanaassetsandintegrated auditors found that given revealed the inclusion of between 2018 and 2020, it Operations, and as such the EEPGL, Hess Corporation drivers across all assets; that the strategy workshop costs related to a KPMG-led found that the workshop, company was not entitled to Guyana, and China National Gathering lessons from was a corporate initiative Offshore Oil Company ExxonMobil's experience in and not directly linked to (CNOOC).

Production Operations, it

Despite this, the costs support and reservoir should be classified under were included in the management; Defining key general and administrative Contractor's Cost Recovery elements of the integrated costs covered by the Annual Statement. operations support for OverheadCharge.

Accordingtothetermsof Guyana,performingtradeoff To this end, the auditors the Petroleum Agreement, analyses, and identifying exhorted that the charge for such costs should have value-driving capabilities; which Exxon Mobil Guyana instead been covered by the and Promoting stakeholder was claiming Guyana pay Annual Overhead Charge. alignment on integrated from its oil under the PSA VHE Consulting noted that operating strategies, among arrangement also includes ExxonMobil Upstream Oil otherobjectives. services rendered outside of & Gas Company hired Conducted in May 2019 Guyana for managing the KPMG for the workshop, and continuing through Exxon's activities under the

e n January2020,theworkshop, Agreement. subsequently billed to the the Auditors reminded was To this end, the auditors contractor specific to ExxonMobil's have since determined that

The report found too that strategic management of its as the KPMG workshop was the workshop's objective Guyana assets, not the specific to EEPGL's parent was to develop an integrated

companyandnotdirectlyfor operations support strategy Operations. To this end, it Production Operations, it falls under the category of overhead services and as such Exxon has since been requested to credit the Cost Recovery Statement for the workshop costs, as they are covered by the Annual Overhead Charge, and not chargeable under the Petroleum Operations accountingprocedures.

Procurement officers will face full brunt of the law if found guilty of corruption

Procurement officers corporations, statutory fullysubmitted

who are engaged in corrupt bodies, the ministries, their bills and

-Jagdeo

practices will face the full regions, central ministries the bills have international cooperation; brunt of the law if caught, everywhere, all the way to been certified, and Cycle 2 (2015-2020) Ratified on February 15, Vice President (VP) Bharrat the National Tender Board,” some of the accounting

2001. JagdeoonThursdaywarned. Jagdeosaid. officers in the ministries and measuresandassetrecovery

He was at the time He explained that the the clerks they keep the Further, led by the C

speaking at his weekly news government is currently processing of the payment Ministry of Parliamentary Corruption (UNCAC): conference being held at examining procedures for for people for days on their Affairs and Governance, the Acceded on April 16, 2008, Freedom House. “If you compliance and also desk. People have to run local National Coordinating and in force from May 16, have been engage in these activities for compliance there ten times, they’ve C

2008. practicesandyougetcaught, with the laws. “And let me completed the work, they Corruption, comprising a Lima Commitment: don’t come and later make it clear if we find that have to run 10-15 times to cross-section of government AdoptedinApril2018. complain about you have thoseofficersareskirtingthe getmoneyforworkthatthey

UNGASS Political kids or you have a party card provisions of the law, the already did, ” Jagde

Declaration on Corruption: or you belong to a party or procurement law, then there stressed. international reporting CommittedinJune2021. something like that,” Jagdeo shall be consequences for Dr Jagdeo reiterated the

CELAC Working said. them.” government’s commitment building, and inter-agency Group on Preventing and The VP told the media Jagdeo said that there are to strengthening systems to synergy The NCC meets Combating Corruption: that there have been reviews too many instances where enhance transparency and monthly,withrepresentation Establishedin2021. Follow-up Mechanism and he has seen a lot written persons have been visiting accountability Guyana from16agencies.

Guyana adheres to (MESICIC) monitoring about corruption. In light of Freedom House to report operates under a robust anti-

P P / C reporting under two major implementation. this the government has discrepancies. “People win a corruption framework,

anti-corruptionconventions: UNCAC: The only undertaken reviews at every bidandthentheytryafterthe h

initiative underscores its

IACAC under the legally binding universal level of the procurement bid has been awarded they committed to several ongoing commitment to Organisation of American anti-corruption instrument. system. “So let me put on trytochangethespecsonthe internationalconventions: fighting corruption and States (OAS): The first Guyana has completed two notice all those people who bid Another issue is

ensuring a transparent global multilateral anti- reporting cycles: Cycle 1 a

for payment for people who C

procurement process across corruption treaty, with the (2010-2015) covering procurement in public have done their work and C

allgovernmentallevels.

Vice President, Bharrat Jagdeo

Fix intra-regional trade barriers ahead of local manufacturing boom-PSCChairman

In light of the recent create opportunity not just

work with them to bring that accompany government brouhaha surrounding the locally but regionally, skillset up so that we can outreaches“some(ofwhich) prevention of locally adding that this would be achieve the growing skills turn out to be very fruitful producedmilkfromentering aided with the ferry service that is required in the Private business opportunities that

Trinidad and Tobago which should be started very Sector.” areveryactivetoday.” recently, Chairman of the soon. With this in mind

This he conceded cannot With the developmental Private Sector Commission, however, he cautioned “we be done alone and as such trajectory forecast for the K o m a l S i n g h , h a s need to capitalize on that lauded proper consortiums country, Singh was committed to working along opportunitytomakesureour and partnership “as we go optimistic that the Private with other partners and goodsandservicescanreach a

nt Sector Commission, indeed governmentstoremovenon- outside the bounds of achievements had with has the opportunity to be the tariff barriers that exist for Guyana easily.” As such, he through formal relationships engine of growth in the tradewithintheregion. proffered that the Private formed through government c o u n t r y, s i n c e t h e

This, more so with the Sector will continuously assisted networking development apace across projected expansion of the work with government and opportunities. the country does in fact have domestic manufacturing the regional partners “to

Chairman of the Private Sector Commission, Komal Singh

Acknowledging the aconcomitantpositiveripple sector,coupledwiththesoon make sure that all those non- government's support to the effect on the economy to be introduced intra- tariff barriers that go against Private Sector, Singh used According to Singh, “The regional ferry service, the will of our Guyanese the opportunity to publicly narrative we have seen from initially between Guyana, businesses and that stop our possible.” Singh bemoaned that the thank “His Excellency” for time to time that Guyana neighbouring T&T and Guyanese goods and

According to Singh, “we sector continues to be setting the pace and creating have a lot of people below Barbados. Singh gave the services from entering other (in the PSC) do not want afflicted by a loss of skill opportunityforbusinessesin poverty line, in our view nd markets,”areremoved. those non-tariff barriers to labour, a challenge that has Guyana. To this end, he from the Private Sector remarks at the 32 Annual

This,inasituationwhere exist when our industry start tobeconfrontedheadon. urged that for the challenges doesn'tnotmakesense.” General Meeting for the the Guyanese market is open growing rapidly from the He told those in intheprivatesectortobemet He qualified this Private Sector Commission, to almost any goods and manufacturing sector end.” attendance, “we have seen head on, “we have to take it position saying “ no held at the Georgetown servicesbeingimported. With the completion of the over the last years that our very seriously, if we are to Guyanese at this moment MarriotonWednesdaylast.

To this end, the PSC Gas to Energy project,Singh business sector have faced work with government to should be out of a job;

Addressing the business Chairman was of the view, said it was imperative that tremendous amount of develop Guyana; to achieve Guyanese at this time works leaders, members of the “we in the Private Sector the Private Sector and other challenges when it comes to the2030visionthatissetout for maybe US$20,” and as diplomatic corps, and Commission also need to be members will continue to skilledworkersandaccessto byHisExcellency.” such,“weshouldnotallowit government representatives very aggressive going review those non-tariff the labour market to satisfy According to Singh over (the poverty narrative) to among other invitees, the forward to make sure that barriers and to look at ways the growing need that is the past year, the President “run through our society and PSC Chairman referenced whatever non-tariff barriers and means to remove and takingplace.” and his government has intimidate our Guyanese theconstructionoftheGasto existsthatprohibitourgoods work to with government

Withthisinmind,hewas supported the sector in part people from capitalizing on Energy Project, which from accessing other and the other counties to adamant “it is very by allowing delegations to theopportunity.” according to him, would see markets we need to go and have those removed as early important, that we as the manufacturing sector analyze those and work aspossible. business leaders work particularly benefitting from aggressively to have those Reflecting on the together to train most of our thetremendousboost. removed as quickly as challenges of the past year, people who are unskilled, to

Aboost,hesaid,thatwill

Govt.committedtoenhancing aviationinfrastructure

–Min.Indar

Du r i n g t h e ongoing Future Aviation Forum

(FAF) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Minister Deodat Indar and the Director General of the Guyana Civil Av i a t i o n A u t h o r i t y (GCAA), Lt. Col. (Ret'd) Egbert Field, met with the P r e s i d e n t o f t h e International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), Mr Salvatore Sciacchitano, and the Secretary General of ICAO, Mr Juan Carlos Salazar

Attending the meeting (from left to right) were the ICAO Council President Mr. Salvatore Sciacchitano, Minister within the Ministry of Public Works, Hon. Deodat Indar, Director General, GCAA, Lt. Col. (Ret'd) Egbert Field, ICAO Secretary General, Mr. Juan Carlos Salazar and ICAO South American Regional Director, Mr. Fabio Rabani

This engagement was aimed at providing an updateonGuyana'sprogress towards compliance with ICAO's standards and the need for continued collaboration in aviation development. He also highlighted the toachievethesegoals. the significance of adhering M i n i s t e r I n d a r importance of maintaining President Sciacchitano to ICAO standards for the e m p h a s i z e d t h e high safety and security and Secretary General global aviation community government's commitment standards in the aviation SalazarcommendedGuyana Themeetingconcludedwith to enhancing aviation sector and expressed for its continued efforts to a reaffirmation of mutual infrastructure and ensuring Guyana's willingness to i m p r o v e a v i a t i o n

compliance with ICAO collaborate with the ICAO capabilitiesandunderscored GuyanaandICAO standards.

Govt.toincrease blackeyed,redbeans cultivation–Pres.Ali

President Dr Mohamed undertaking would give Irfaan Ali announced that Guyana the capacity to G u y a n a w i l l b e g i n supply the two crops to the cultivating black eyed and markets in CARICOM by red beans on a larger scale 2026.

within a few days, aiming to In October 2023, the satisfy existing local and president unveiled plans to regional demand for these cultivate red beans on 400 crops. acres of land in Baracara

“I am going to visit that Village in Region Six farm in about three days. Additionally, large-scale The planters and everything production of black eyed are here…So, the small beans and red beans is being farmers will help to support cultivated at Ebini along the the local markets,” the head Berbice River. Several other ofstatedisclosed. massive developmental

The president was at the projects are ongoing to time addressing the opening achieve food security locally ceremony of the Private and regionally “Agriculture Sector Commission (PSC) is our future and this is 32nd Annual General going to be [a] massive Meeting on Wednesday, at revenue creation for this the Marriott Hotel in country,” the head of state Kingston,Georgetown. emphasised Over theyears, He emphasised that the

initiative will enable the agriculture sector have been country to achieve self- carefully made to position sufficiency in black-eyed Guyanaasthefoodhubinthe and red beans by the first region while reducing the

region's food importation

bill.(DPI)

Three elderly women rescued from burning house in Albouystown

OnThursdayafternoon,in wood was old, it caught fire the densely populated quickly and spread to the neighborhood of Albouys fronthouse.” Street, Albouystown, three Among those who rushed elderly women were to the scene was Travis Ellis, dramatically saved from their an Opposi

on-elec

ed home after it was engulfed in councillor for the area. Ellis flames. expressed his commitment to

The fire drew a large assisting the affected women, crowd of concerned stating that he will do onlookers and residents who everything in his power to sprang into action in an help the women.The cause of attempt to quell the blaze. As the fire remains unknown, the fire raged, passers-by and and fire investigators have local residents grabbed water since launched a thorough and sand buckets, frantically investigationtodeterminethe trying to douse the flames. origin and circumstances Despite their courageous surrounding the blaze. The efforts,theintensityofthefire quick response from the fire rendered their attempts futile. service and the brave actions The fire, which started in a of the local community flat house at the back of the undoubtedly prevented a property, quickly spread to greater tragedy. This incident the adjoining two-storey has highlighted the house at the front, fueled by vulnerabilityofolderwooden theoldwoodenstructures. houses to fires and the The Guyana Fire Service importance of community deployed fire tenders to the solidarity in times of crisis. scene, arriving within 20 (Wayne Lyttle) minutes. Firefighters worked swiftly to control the blaze and ensure the safety of the elderly women trapped inside An eyewitness recounted the harrowing moments, saying, “two of the women were sickly and unable to move on their own. The third woman, who was more mobile, tried to help as much as she could. The fire started around three in the afternoon, and because the

Woman sets ex-boyfriend on fire

A 26-year-old woman on arrested the woman. She was identified butinseparateapartments. might have accused her of attempting to Wednesday set her child father on fire as Melissa David and has reportedly Edmond Moses said he had lost his steal it and they had an argument which following an argument over his missing admittedtocommittingtheheinousact. walletcontaining$18,000. led to a fight. During the scuffle, the wallet. According to reports the two shared He then raised an alarm and the woman doused him with thinners and The man was identified as Edmond arelationshipinthepastandhaveachild womanreturnedanemptywallet.When set him on fire. Moses is presently Moses, a taxi driver, 32, of New Market together Although they have separated he inquired about the money an admitted at the Georgetown Public Street Cummingsburg Police have they live at the same apartment building argument ensued. It is suspected that he HospitalCorporation(GPHC).

Edmond Moses

GTU ready to take on Govt.’s appeal of High Court ruling on teachers’ strike

Th e G u y a n a having the striking teachers Teachers Union returntotheclassroom.

( G T U ) o n

“GTU as a safety net

Thursday said would have said to the that it is ready to fight the government because of their government of Guyana’s behaviour in the previous appeal against Justice Sandil occasion we would like you Kissoon’s ruling that the 5- to give an interim payout. Of week teachers’ strike in course, they are not happy February was legal and with that so the stalemate justified. continuesandwecontinueto

PresidentoftheGTU,Dr insist that we must be given Mark Lyte in an interview an advance or an interim with Kaieteur News on the payout in lieu of the sideline of a protest outside agreement,” he told Kaieteur of the Office of the President News. said, “So our lawyers are T h i s p u b l i c a t i o n geared up and ready to go to previously reported that the the Appeal Court and GTU has been calling on the wherever else it may lead. government to hike teachers’ The course of justice salaries and have since put a provides for any aggrieved multi-year agreement 2019partytogotothenextlevel.” 2023 to the government for are on the picket line when

President of the GTU, Dr. Mark Lyte.

Dr Lyte continued: “we c o n s i d e r a t i o n T h e necessary,” he said while are ready to defend our government has since making reference to the positionatalltime.” refused to accept the number of persons who

Further, the GTU head proposal, noting that it is protestedonThursday. said the Union has the full only prepared to engage the Dr. Lyte assured that, support of the teachers and Uniononsalarymattersfrom “Our teachers are solidly will not rest until teachers 2024 onwards. This resulted behindtheGuyanaTeacher’s across the country are in the Union utilising Union, ready to defend our adequately compensated by industrialaction. position that the salary is thegovernment. Earlier this month, the insufficient ” The Union

“The teachers are behind Ministry of Education leader noted that discussions the Union and let’s not be informed schools across with the government fooled by the numbers we Guyana to scrap the end of continuetobeatastandstill. have here, because this time term examinations due to the

Dr Lyte reminded that we have done it differently, crippling effects of the the meetings with the teachers are at home and in ongoing teachers’ strike for government are geared at someinstancessomeofthem betterwages.

Instead, the ministry said that the schools should use continuous assessment to promote students to the next level of their education. The announcement came even after conciliation talks remain deadlocked with no agreement between the GuyanaTeachers’Unionand the Ministry of Education on proposalsmadebybothsides toendtheindustrialaction.

In a circular dispatched to regional educations officers, Chief Education Officer, Saddam Hussain said, “Given the number of weeksofinstructionsalready lost and the limited number of weeks remaining in the school year, the Ministry of Education has made the

regarding end of year annual examinations and other mattersfor2024.”

More illegal migrants from Haiti held in Portland

( J A M A I C A OBSERVER)LESSthan24 hours after permanent secretary in the Ministry of ForeignAffairs and Foreign Trade Ambassador Sheila Sealy Monteith warned that Jamaicaislikelytoseemore criminals, illegal migrants, and refugees from Haiti, the police reported that another group of Haitians had been detainedinPortland.

But it is believed that they were part of a group which landed in Portland on Sunday and avoided detection at the time

According to the police, 16 Haitians were picked up in theAnchovyGardensareaof Port Antonio Wednesday morning in a truck which developed mechanical problems.

It is understood that the vehicle was taking the HaitianstoMontegoBay,St James, when it stalled and residents in the area went to the driver’s assistance. The driver was reportedly weary about the assistance offered andsuspiciousresidentssaw the group of people hiding inside the truck. The police werecalledandthedriverof the truck and the Haitians were detained and taken to the Port Antonio Police Station. It is alleged that the

Vendors carry goods as they walk through the streets in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. (Photo: AFP)

of a car, which was piloting the truck with the Haitians,spedoffbeforethe policearrived.

On Monday, eight male

PNP condemns murder

of esteemed journalist Job Nelson,

calls for swift justice

OBSERVER) The People’s National Party (PNP) says it stands in profound grief and outrage over the tragic murder of Job Nelson, a respected journalist from The Jamaica Gleaner, who was fatally shot on Spanish TownRoadonTuesday It is reported that Nelson was shot at the Bumper Hall traffic light about 10:53 pm while he waited for the light to change. He drove from the scenebutlostcontrolofthe vehicle on Collie Smith Drive where it crashed. Nelson was taken to hospitalbypassers-bywith a bullet wound in the left side of his chest and died while undergoing treatment.

In a statement late Wednesday night, the PNP said, “We extend our deepest condolences to his family, friends, and colleagues during this incredibly difficult time.”

“JobNelson,aged53,wasa cherished member of the media community who went the extra mile in pursuit of truth His unwavering commitment to journalism and his courageouseffortshaveleft an indelible mark on our nation.

His dedication, diligence, and reliability were evident in his significant contributions across The Gleaner and Starpublications,aswellas variousothermediaoutlets over his 35 years of service, ” the party continued.

Describing his murder as a “senseless act of violence”, the Opposition said his death has left a profound void in the journalism community, adding that “his untimely deathisaprofoundloss”.

The party urged the authorities to conduct a swift and thorough investigation into his

murder, noting that “it is imperative that the perpetratorsofthisheinous act are swiftly brought to justice”.ThePNPurgedall citizenstostandtogetherin condemning this brutal act and to support efforts to uphold justice and protect the invaluable role of the mediainthesociety

Thepartyreaffirmedits commitment to defending the rights and safety of journalists and to ensuring that the nation remains a place where freedom of expression and the pursuit of truth are cherished and protected.

“Job Nelson will be remem

professional expertise, his k

demeanour, and his everpresent smile. His passion for journalism and his commitment to delivering qualitynewswillbegreatly missed. In this time of mourning,letushonourhis legacy,”thePNPsaid.

Haitians were picked up by the police in Hector’s River inPortlandandtakentoPort Antonio Hospital for health checks. Up to Wednesday

they were still being processed

authorities.

At that time it was

women and children who were in the group, fled the area after the boat in which they travelled landed

On Tuesday, Sealy M

Parliament’s Internal and E

Committee that increased

undocumented Haitian migrants, some of whom have ill-intent or are involved in transnational organised crime, remains achallengeforJamaica

“Itshouldbenotedthat two of the prime suspects in the assassination of the late Haitian President [Jovenel Moïse] were apprehended in Jamaica following illegal entry,” said Sealy Monteith The veteran public servant said the risk for increased migration is heightened due to frequent civil unrest as well as recurring natural and man-made disasters in the violencetorn, French-speaking territory

Mystery oil spill tug may be in Africa

SOURCE OF SPILL: The Gulfstream barge, which ran aground just off the coast of Cove in Tobago on February 7.

The‘SoloCreed,’tug,thevesselthatcut loose the ‘Gulfstream,’ barge in Tobago waters in February, may have sailed across theAtlanticOceantotheWestAfricancoast ofAngola, where it is believed to have been detainedbyauthorities.

The Barge in February triggered an extensive oil spill after its capsizing in Tobago’s waters, the environmental impacts ofwhicharestillbeinggauged.

AreleasefromtheMinistryofEnergyand Energy Industries yesterday stated that the Government received information that the

tug may have been held by Authorities in Angola.

MinisterStuartYounghasrequestedthat the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the MaritimeServicesDivisioncorrespondwith Angolanauthoritiestoconfirmthedetention andgathermoredetails.“TheGovernmentis committed to continuing its pursuit of those responsiblefortheoilspillinTobagoandwill continue to keep the public informed of

driver

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Man confesses to killing Corentyne welder

The prime suspect in the murder of a 25-year-old welder found dead on Wednesday in a car at the Auchlyne Cultivating Dam has confessed to killing him for being in a relationship with his wife.

Police had arrested two persons in connection with the death of the welder identified as Joshua Hardatt called ‘Money’ of Lot 371 Bloomfield Village, Corentyne, Berbice.

Kaieteur News confirmed with investigators that one of the arrested individuals admitted to killing Hardatt.

The suspect was recently released from prison after serving a jail sentence for a “wounding matter”, investigators told Kaieteur News. During an interrogation he told police that Hardatt, a man he considered to be like a family member, had an affair with his wife while he was incarcerated. He claimed he had confronted Hardatt about the affair on the day he killed him.

The suspect reportedly said that Hardatt’s denial of the affair angered him and

resulted in him beating the welder to death.

Police reported that the murder occurred between 18:00hrs on Tuesday and 08:00hrs on Wednesday.

Investigations revealed that Hardatt left his home in his silver grey Toyota Premio motorcar with registration number PAD 1612 and ventured off to an unknown location.

Police said that at about 09:00hrs on Wednesday, Hardatt’s relatives received a call that his car was seen at Auchlyne Cultivating Dam.

As a result, the police were contacted and summoned to the location where Hardatt’s body was found face down in a crouching position in the back passenger seat of the car. Marks of violence were observed on his face and forehead while there was a wound to the back of his head.

His body was taken to Ramoo’s Funeral Home where it awaits a Post-Mortem Examination (PME).

Meanwhile, Hardatt’s sister said, “They killed him so cruelly, he don’t deserve

such a death.” The woman told Kaieteur News that, “He wasn’t a bad brother or someone bad to anyone, he always there to help and lend a helping hand whenever anyone needs him but we have to get justice for what they (suspects) did to my brother.”

car at the Auchlyne Cultivating Dam.

Two arrested for murder of taxi driver

Three months after 41year-old Eon Holder was shot and killed on Alexander Street, Georgetown, two suspects were arrested on Wednesday in connection to the crime.

Police said that the two suspects are aged 30 and 50 and reside on Queen Street, Cummingsburg.

Holder, a taxi driver of Lot 2498 North Ruimveldt, Georgetown, was killed at about 05:30h on February 24, 2024, in front of Guyana

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Marketing Corporation (GMC) located on Alexander Street.

According to police, Holder was killed by two men, one of whom was armed with a handgun. According to the Police report Holder was working at a taxi service at about 04:40h when he was hired by a 50-year-old businessman of Queenstown, Georgetown to go to the Bourda Market to purchase vegetables.

Upon arrival at Alexander Street, the businessman exited the car and was walking towards Bourda Market,

leaving the victim (Holder) to look for a parking space.

The businessman reportedly claimed that after five minutes, his ears were filled with sounds of a loud explosion. After hearing the explosion, he looked back and saw Holder lying on the ground about 15 feet away from his car in a pool of blood.

The businessman said he saw two men, one reportedly armed with a handgun, running away from the bloody crime scene.

Reports are that witnesses informed Police that the taxi driver reportedly

parked his car in the middle of the street, blocking other vehicles from passing. This angered one of the suspects who whipped out a handgun and discharged a round at the taxi driver. Thereafter, the Emergency Medical Technicians (EMT) were summoned, and the victim was pronounced dead by a doctor from the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC).

Following an examination of the body, it was noticed that Holder sustained a gunshot wound to the right side of his face.

CAR RENTAL

Dead: Joshua Hardatt

Key focus: Two arrested in connection with murder of Corentyne welder Lead: Police have arrested two persons in connection with the death of a 25-yearold welder whose body was found on Wednesday in a

$38M repairs for Ankerville No.2 drainage pump

The Ministry of Agriculture through the

National Drainage and IrrigationAuthority (NDIA) intends to rehabilitate the

No 2 drainage pump at Ankerville Pump Station in Region Six at an estimated costof$38million.

The project was revealed during a recent

Belowarethecompaniesandtheirbids:

MinistryofAgriculture

UpgradeofFlagstaffroadat EastDemeraraWaterConservancy

Constructionofsluicerevetment atBlenheim,Leguan.

opening of tenders at the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB) office, where it was disclosed that nine contractors have

appliedforthecontract.

In relation to drainage works, the ministry is planning to upgrade the Flagstaff Road at the East D e m e r a r a W a t e r

DevelopmentofSommerset& BerksCo-opPastureland,RegionTwo.

Conservancy (EDWC) in Region Three at an estimated cost of $16 million

Plans are also in train to rehabilitate the Hackney

C

Pomeroon River for $22 million and construct

Blenheim, Leguan for $167 million.

RehabilitationofNo.2drainagepumpat AnkervillePumpStation,RegionSix.

RehabilitationofHackney CanalLowerPomeroonRiver

Russian strikes key Ukrainian city of Kharkiv, killing at least 7, as ground troops advance

(CNN —) A wave of Russian missile strikes on Thursday pummeled several locations in Kharkiv, including a printing house the regional capital, killing seven people, as the Kremlin’sforcesadvance.

Russian troops have taken advantage of a weakened front line in Ukraine,andforthepasttwo weeks have advanced towardsKharkiv Theregion was captured by Russian forces earlier in the war beforebeingliberated.

All seven of the deceased, at least five of whom were women, were civilians working for the Factor-Druk printing company in the region’s capital, the city of Kharkiv, according to the regional governor, Oleh Syniehubov

Sixteen people were injured attheprintinghouse,located south of the city center, and another seven were injured elsewhere. After the attack, images emerged of the

Volunteers carry the body of a person killed by Russian strikes on a printing house in Kharkiv, on Thursday.

factory partly reduced to rubble,withitsfacadeblown off. Factor-Druk publishes aroundathirdofthenation’s books and 10% of its newspapers, the company saysonitswebsite.

The Ukrainian state railway network was also attacked in the early

Valentyn Ogirenko/Reuters

morning, according to a statementfromthecompany

Six employees were wounded,thecompanysaid. ACNNteamtravellinginthe area saw two craters and smoke from impacts near a railwayline.

Civilians have also been trapped by a new swell of

violence engulfing the region. On May 15, Russian forces fired on people desperatelytryingtofleethe town of Vovchansk and killedawomanbeingpushed in a wheelchair by her husband, Ukrainian prosecutorsreported.

Extremelybrutal

Ukrainian President

Volodymyr Zelensky denounced the “extremely brutal Russian attack” on Kharkiv and the town of Lyubotyn,drawingattention to the fragility of Kyiv’s air defenses in the face of Moscow’s renewed assault.

“Russianterroristsaretaking advantage of Ukraine’s lack of sufficient air defense protection and reliable capabilitytodestroyterrorist launchers at their exact locations,whicharecloseto our borders,” Zelensky postedonX.

Earlier this month, the USapproveda$400million package of air defense munitions and other weapons to Ukraine. But seniorofficialsinKyivhave warned that recent flush of aid will not be enough to fend off further Russian advances. CNN journalists inthetownofLyptsi,around 20 miles north of Kharkiv city, saw troops using aging andinadequateweaponry,in

an attempt to repel highlyequipped Russian units bolstered by drones Zelensky is growing increasingly exasperated by a condition imposed by Washington and other Western allies that the weapons they provide to Ukrainecannotbeusedtohit targets within Russia’s borders. “Idon’tthinkthere should be any restrictions, because this is not about the Ukrainian army using WesternweaponsonRussian territory for offensive,” Zelensky told reporters in Kyiv earlier this month

“This is defense.” White House officials earlier this month said their stance on the issue remained. “We do not encourage nor do we enable attacks using USsupplied weapons systems insideRussianterritory,”US National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said during a press briefing on May 17. “That’s the policy Thathasnotchanged.”

China holds military drills around Taiwan as ‘strong punishment’

(BBC NEWS) China has started two days of military exercises around Taiwan, with its military calling them “strong punishment” for the selfruled island’s “separatist acts”.

The drills come three days after the inauguration of President William Lai, whocalledonChinatostop threatening the island and accept the existence of its democracy

China sees Taiwan as a breakaway province that will eventually be under Beijing’s control, but the island sees itself as distinct. Taiwan’s defence ministry condemned the Chinese drills as “irrational provocations” Taipei dispatched naval, air, and groundforcesto“defendthe [island’s] sovereignty”, its defence ministry said Thursday’sdrillsforthefirst time simulated a full-scale attack, Taiwanese military experts said, rather than an economicblockade.

Theexercisestookplace all around the main island, and for the first time also

targeted the Taipeicontrolled islands of Kinmen, Matsu,Wuqiu and Dongyin which lie close to the Chinese coast, according to maps released

by China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA)

The drills also included a component to the east of Taiwan-theisland’srugged east coast on the other side ofamountainrangehaslong beenitsmilitaryredoubt.

Taiwan has built much of its hardened military infrastructure along this coast, including a large underground airbase inside a mountain near the city of Hualien. It is also close to Japan’s southern islands, andanaturalresupplyroute.

By sending naval and air patrolstotheeastofTaiwan, China aims to show Taipei that its east is now exposed to Chinese attack, and to show the Americans that any effort to resupply or reenforce Taiwan from the eastisvulnerabletoChinese missile strikes and naval attack.

The PLA said its drills focused on joint sea-air

combat-readiness patrols, precision strikes on key targets, and integrated operations inside and outsidetheislandtotestthe “joint real combat capabilities” of its forces.

Taiwanese media cited military expert Chieh Chung saying the ongoing exercise is aimed at “simulating a full-scale armed invasion ofTaiwan”.

China has repeatedly rehearsedencirclingTaiwan with fighter jets and navy ships over the past year

Taipei had reported an uptick in incursions into Taiwanese waters and airspaceintherun-uptoMr Lai’sinauguration.

Chinacarriedoutitsfirst “encirclement” operation in August 2022, following a historic visit by then US House Speaker Nancy

Pelosi, simulating a blockade of the main island of Taiwan with ships, aircraftandmissilestrikes.

T h e P L A s a i d Thursday’s drills were a “strong punishment for the separatist acts of Taiwan independence forces and a

stern warning against the i n t e r f e r e n c e a n d provocation by external forces.”MeanwhileChina’s foreignministryinsistedthe drillswerea“necessaryand legitimate move” to

safeguard national sovereignty

“I need to stress that Taiwanisaninalienablepart ofChina’sterritory

Thisisbothafactbased onhistoryandthetruestatus quo.Thiswillnotchangein the future Taiwan independence is doomed to fail,” spokesman Wang

Wenbin said In his inauguration address last Monday, Mr Lai called on China to “stop threatening Taiwan”.

Beijing denounced the speech, with Foreign Minister Wang Yi describing Mr Lai as “disgraceful” After Mr Lai’s election victory last January, Beijing issued a statement insisting that “TaiwanispartofChina”.It hasalsorepeatedlyrebuffed Mr Lai’soffersfortalks.

Beijing has previously labelled Mr Lai a

“ s e p a r a t

e

remarkshemadeinthepast supporting Taiwanese independence.

Taiwan’s defence ministry said the drills on Thursday “highlight [Beijing’s] militaristic mentality”.“Inrecentyears, the continuous harassment by Chinese aircraft and ships has significantly harmed global peace and stability,” it said. Taiwan’s presidentialofficehassaidit was “regrettable” to see China “using unilateral military provocations to thre

democracyandfreedom”.

Meanwhile Taiwan’s Mainland Affairs Councilwhich oversees relations with China - said Taiwan’s aim of maintaining crossstraitpeacehasnotchanged.

“Beijing should understand that its intimidating tactics will not win hearts and minds,” said spokesman Liang Wenchieh While China and Taiwan remain trading partners, they no longer have a formal channel of

communication and much of the world offers diplomatic recognition to China, but not Taiwan Analysts say Bejing’s claims have become far louderandunyieldingunder Xi Jinping, who has repeatedly stressed that “reunification” will happen - most recently in December, weeks before Taiwan’selection.

So far, China’s military manoeuvres around Taiwan have fallen short of an invasionandstayedwithina grey zone. Analysts have toldtheBBCthatgreyzone warfare tactics are aimed at weakening an adversary over a prolonged periodand say that is exactly what China is trying to do with Taiwan.

China and Taiwan - the basics

Why do China and Taiwanhavepoorrelations?

China sees the self-ruled island as a part of its territoryandinsistsitshould be unified with the mainland, by force if necessary

Man on $50,000 bail for break and enter and larceny

Man nabbed in sting operation trying to sell house lot to couple

A 30-year-old man of The accused and the allocation letter along with a Canal #1 Polder appeared victim were not known to receipt of $250,000 were before Magistrate Faith each other Additionally, the found in his possession McGusty to answer to a victim had applied to the These documents were chargeoffelony Ministry of Housing for a confirmedtobefalseaswell. Horatio Williams, on plot of land and was Williams pleaded not guilty May 20, 2024 on Brickdam, contacted by Williams who Bail was objected by the Georgetown attempted to stated that he was employed prosecutor due to the commit a felony, police said. bytheministry seriousness and nature of the The charge against Williams Williams had told the charge. alleges that on May 20, 2024 victim that his application The prosecutor had also on Brickdam, Georgetown, had been approved mentioned in court that the he attempted to obtain the However, the victim man had two wanted sum of $250,000 by contacted the ministry to bulletins issued for him in pretending that he was confirmthisbutwastoldthat relation to matters of a employed by the Ministry of wasnottrue. similar nature. Williams was Housing and was in position A sting operation was refusedbailandremandedto to acquire land for Alex and conducted and the accused prisonuntilJune13,2024for TasleemaAlberts. was arrested where an reports.

Pres.Ali blasts banks for dragging feet on critical economic support

Head of State, depositsandtolendinalow- With this in mind he President Irfaan risk environment, “the role suggested, “realigning our

Ali yesterday of the bank is also to seek outlookinthebankingsector lambasted the domestic opportunity, to understand and our management in the banking sector especially as where the economy is going, banking sector to match it relates to support being to create an ecosystem to what is required in the providedtotheprivatesector support where the economy economy.” formanufacturinginorderto is going and to build upon

According to the take advantage of existing what is happening in the President, “this is no way economic opportunities, for country.” being critical of anything, which the government is With this in mind, he this is just being very frank lookingtointervene. suggested rhetorically, “if andveryopenwithyou.”

He was at the time any bank that is here in this Meanwhile, President addressing representatives countrycanpointtometoan Ali also pointed to Foreign of the Private Sector investor banker that is DirectInvestmentincreasing Commission (PSC) in his employed by the bank that to US$7B last year, up from keynote address at the PSC has created five or six $4.2B the previous year and 32nd Annual General business opportunity and while some areas of industry Meeting (AGM), at the develop five or six business did experience double digit MarriottHotel. plans to bolster the private growthinloans,thesamedid

According to the sector, I will publicly laud notoccurformanufacturing. President, at the previous thatbank.”

With this in mind, the such ceremony he had cause Reminding of his many President said “...this is one tochallenge government initiatives, the of the sectors that I think we local and international President said “some of the have to do a lot of work to business representatives banks have been doing an find the model that would present and the banking extremely good job at expand value addition to our sectortodomuchmore,tobe followingtheinitiative;buta productanddosorapidly.” moreproactive,initssupport very poor job at concluding To this end, he reminded of the private sector in t h e a r r a n g e m e n t s ” of the government's keeping pace with the rapid Emphasising his point, the agricultural innovation developmentofthecountry President used the occasion project” which has since Using the PSC's affair to topointoutthatthedomestic seen the launch of many also evaluate how they did, local private sector and initiatives geared at proving the President lamented that “local leaders are doing a models—tested models that while “The banking sector tremendous job in trying to can be taken to the banking has been given one of the open up opportunities sector where we have most dynamic platforms to especially in the non-oil- b a n k a b l e p r o j e c t s support capital formation in sector but the speed at which Government he said, was this country, “yet to date, the the banks have been also looking to partner banking sector has not operating and processing w i t h t h e G u y a n a responded with the speed, does not match the type of M a n u f a c t u r i n g a n d efficiency, reliability and dynamism that is in the Services Association on time to exploit the economy.” building agro processing opportunities that are here in As such, the President facilities that would create Guyana.” wasadamant,itistimeforus business incubators

According to the all to review our mode of Initiatives the president is President, the role of the operation and to find that as looking to see a more bank in the country and its weconfrontthesechallenges proactive approach from the economy is not just to take inthenewyear.” bankingsector

Women’s tennis signs ‘multi-year partnership’

with Saudi investment fund

AFP-Thewomen’stennis tour(WTA)onMonday announced“amulti-year partnership”withtheSaudi Arabiansovereignwealth fund(PIF),emulatingadeal madebythemen’stour (ATP)inFebruary

The WTA said in a statement that it shared with PIF an “ambition to grow women’sprofessionaltennis andinspiremorewomenand girlsaroundtheworldtotake upthegame.”

“We look forward to sharing the journey of our talented players across the season, as we continue to grow the sport, creating more fans of tennis and inspiringmoreyoungpeople to take up the game,” said MarinaStorti,CEOofWTA Ventures, in the joint statement.

PIF will become the “first-evernamingpartnerof

theWTARankings”.

“ T h r o u g h o u r partnership with WTA, PIF willcontinuetobeacatalyst for the growth of women’s sport,” said Mohamed Alsayyad of PIF in the statement. “This partnership aligns with our ambition to elevate the game and bring positive growth to the sport aroundtheworld.”

Thepartnershipbetween theWTAandPIFfollowsthe

Kevin Foster, Head of Corporate Affairs for the Saudi Public Investment Fund and Marina Storti, chief executive of WTAVentures, announced a new multi-year partnership between the women’s tennis circuit and PIF. (ELSA)

Friday May 24, 2024

ARIES(Mar.21–Apr.19)

Overall,theforecastfortoday is fairly good. The aspects seemtofavorfiguringoutthe meaning of all that's transpired over the past several weeks It's an opportunity for you to take a leisurely

TAURUS(Apr.20–May20)

Have you felt somewhat lost forthepastfewdays?Thefog maylifttodayandenableyou to situate yourself at last. You'reprobablyeagertosettle a question that has nagged at you and interfered with your judgment.

GEMINI(May21–June20)

You may have been feeling somewhat disillusioned. Perhapsyoulostsightofyour goals or misplaced your faith in yourself. You'll feel some reliefbeginningtoday

CANCER(June21–July22)

Youmightbetemptedtosettle certain matters by radical means. The visionary part of you means you're painfully aware of the world's wrongs. You see no reason not to take actiontocorrectthem.

LEO(July23–Aug.22)

Today will be fairly calm in terms of outside events, but yourinnerworldislikelytobe in a rush of activity Today you wish you could find the solutiontoyourheartachesas well as your career predicaments.

VIRGO(Aug.23–Sept.22)

You have a lot of thinking to do about your professional goals, Virgo. You'll go over the elements to see if there isn't some way to approach thingsdifferently

LIBRA(Sept.23–Oct.22)

Youjustcan'tdoeverythingat once, Libra. How do you expect to reduce your stress and recuperate while at the same time continue to be a superstar performer in every areaofyourlife.

SCORPIO(Oct.23–Nov 21)

Thisisagoodmomenttoadapt your logic and reason to reality, Scorpio. If you don't, you're going to run into some

Everyone knows that you find newideasplentiful.

SAGIT(Nov 22–Dec.21)

It'sgoingtobealittledifficult t

ou to

y, Sagittarius. You, who can be easily influenced by others, will be listening to and criticizing everything that peoplesay

CAPRI(Dec.22–Jan.19)

Haveyoubeenreviewingyour

m

y

y

tely, Capricorn? Of special interest is your cultural background. What educational, social, and religious environment were you born into? What are its values?Intheend.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20–Feb. 18) It's time to elevate your senseofself,Aquarius.You're justasgoodasanyoneelse,so why don't you believe it? The problem is that you're very sensitiveabouthavinganego. Even though you know everyonedoes.

PISCES(Feb.19–Mar.20)

Today your intellectual and expressive abilities should receive a boost from the planets.It'sanexcellenttimeto organize your thoughts about presentingaproject.

recent announcement that the season-ending WTA Finals, featuring the eight top singles players and doubles pairings, will be held in Riyadh for the next threeyears,startingthisyear

Much like its forays into golf and football, the Saudi tennis push has met some resistance, with legends Martina Navratilova and Chris Evert denouncing Riyadh’srecordonwomen’s rights in an op-ed published by The Washington Post in January

The article was headlined: “We did not help buildwomen’stennisforitto be exploited by Saudi Arabia”.

Conservative Saudi Arabia’s bid to become a sports powerhouse is part of a larger attempt to soften its austereimage.

That rebranding is central to the success of its Vision 2030 economic and social reform agenda, designed to prepare the world’s biggest crude exporter for a prosperous post-oilfuture.

Last year, the kingdom hosted its first ATP Tour event with the Next Gen Finals. It has also hosted exhibition matches pitting Novak Djokovic against Carlos Alcaraz and Aryna Sabalenka against Ons Jabeur In early January, Saudi Arabia appointed RafaelNadal as ambassador of the Saudi Tennis Federation.

Thecountry,whichhosts a Formula 1 and MotoGP Grand Prix, as well as the Dakar rally-raid, has recruited a large number of top football players to its national league in recent years.

The Kingdom has also hosted a series of headlinegrabbing boxing matches including the heavyweight unification bout between Oleksandr Usyk and Tyson FurylastSaturday.

Ali Khan and Monank Patel take USA to historic T20I series win over Bangladesh

ESPNcricinfo-AliKhan played the starring role as USA fought their way to a T20I series win over Bangladesh at home, going up 2-0 in the three-match series in Texas yesterday Histhree-wickethaulhelped USAto a six-run win in the second game after they had won the first game courtesy HarmeetSingh’sbighitting.

USAbowledsuperblyin the death overs with Ali Khanpickingupallhisthree wicketsinthatperiod,while Saurabh Netravalkar took oneinthe19thover

On Tuesday, when USA won the first game, it was their first win over a top-ten T20I side. This time, they wentonestepfurther.Itwill beahugeboostfortheteam aheadoftheT20WorldCup nextmonth.

For Bangladesh, it’s a cricketingdisaster

They couldn’t get the 145-runchaseontrackfrom the start They lost two wickets inside the powerplay before a rush of wickets following a 48-run stand between captain Najmul Hossain Shanto and Towhid Hridoy Shakib Al Hasantriedtogetthemhome butAliKhanremovedhimin the 18th over to get USA backinthegame.

Rishad Hossain led Bangladesh’s efficient bowling effort after they decided to bowl first. He took 2 for 21, his best and most economical spell in T20Is, while Mustafizur Rahman and Shoriful Islam also took two each. USA captain Monank Patel top

scored with 42 while his deputy Aaron Jones got 35, but the home side couldn’t take advantage of a decent powerplay USAmakeinroads Inthechase,Netravalkar gave USA the early breakthrough they wanted defending a smallish total. He caught and bowled Soumya Sarkar, who feebly pushedthefourthballofthe innings back to the bowler TanzidHasanhitasixoffAli Khan, before tickling a boundary off Steven Taylor in the fourth over Tanzid, however, threw away his good start when he was bowled attempting to pull a delivery from Jessy Singh that wasn’t short enough for theshot.

After that, Shanto and

Hridoy, who made a fifty in thefirstgame,added48runs for the third wicket. Hridoy and Shanto struck Harmeet for a six each in the tenth over, both hitting the ball relativelystraight.

But Shanto and Hridoy gotintoamix-upinthe11th over and Shanto was left strandedinthemiddleofthe pitch. Corey Anderson then bowled Hridoy in the 13th over for 25 off 21 balls

before Shadley van Schalkwyk did the same to Mahmudullah in the 15th over Ali Khan swings it USA’sway

Shakib survived a runoutattemptatthestartofthe 16th over when the point fielder couldn’t hit the stumps even as Shakib struggled to reach the

striker’send.Heshookitoff by timing two superb fours off Jessy later in the over, first through point and then tickledpastthird.

Bangladesh’s joy, however, was shortlived Jaker Ali fell to van Schalkwyk before Shakib followedhimbacknextball. Batting on 30, Shakib chopped an away-going deliveryfromAliKhanonto hisstumps,leavingthetailto finishthejob.AliKhanthen trapped Tanzim Hasan lbw foraduckjustoneballlater, toputUSAwellandtrulyon top. Ali Khan the last-over hero

Rishad slammed Ali Khan for a one-bounce four attheendofthe18thoverto keepBangladeshinthehunt but Netravalkar bowled

Shoriful in the penultimate over Mustafizur took a single off the last ball of the over,beforerunningabyeat the start of the last over

RishadstruckAliKhanfora four through long-on but next ball,Ali Khan took his inside edge as he tried to ramp the fast bowler, sparking huge celebrations forUSA.

Rishadstrikesaftergood USAstart

In the first half, Taylor and Monank took a bit of time to get going but from the fourth over, the USA openingpairstrungtogether a few boundaries. Taylor struck Tanzim for two fours in the fourth over before he cracked Mustafizur and Shakib for a six each in the followingovers.

But shortly after finishing the powerplay withoutanylosses,USAlost two big wickets. Rishad floated one through to Taylor, who struck it down wide long-on Tanzid Hasan’s throat. He made 31 off 28 balls with two sixes and three fours. Next ball, Rishad had Andries Gous caught behind for a duck withabeautifullegbreak.He finished with his best T20I figuresof2for21fromfour overs.

Shoriful,Mustafizurjoin theparty

Monank and Jones then added 60 runs for the third wicket but they batted at only6.42perover Joneswas more fluent than he was in the previous game, though, hitting Rishad for a six over long-off, but big hits were few and far between in general.

After keeping Jones and Monank on a leash for just undertenovers,Bangladesh got their reward in the last four overs Mustafizur removedJonesfor35off34, caught at long-on. Shoriful bowled both Anderson and Monank in the 19th over And Mustafizur had Harmeet soon after for a duck. But as it turned out, USA had enough on the board.

Scores: USA 144 for 6 (Monank 42, Jones 35, Taylor 31, Rishad 2-21, Shoriful2-29,Mustafizur231) beat Bangladesh 138 (Shanto 36, Shakib 30, Ali Khan 3-25, Netravalkar 215,vanSchalkwyk2-21)by sixruns.

Yohan Blake records season-best 10.16 in 100m at Raiffeisen

Austrian Open, Christania Williams impresses in women’s race

SportsMax - Double Olympic silver medalist Yohan Blake demonstrated thatheisfarfromfinishedat the2024RaiffeisenAustrian Open in Eisenstadt,Austria, on Wednesday, clocking a season-best10.16secondsin the100mheats.

However, the final did not go as planned for the Jamaican sprint star, as he was disqualified for a false start, negating his thirdplace finish time of 10.26 seconds.

The 34-year-old Blake’s performanceintheheatswas

atestamenttohisexperience and competitive edge, as he comfortablyadvancedtothe final with the fastest qualifyingtime. This season-best effort

underscored Blake’s determination to remain a formidable force in sprinting, even as he continues to navigate the later stages of his illustrious career In the final, Blake crossed the finish line third withatimeof10.26seconds. However, his results were invalidated due to a false

start that led to his disqualification. The disqualification came as a significant disappointment, especially

performanceintheheats.

FellowJamaicansprinter Christania Williams also impressed at the meet

Williams, who is based in AustriaandtrainedbyCoach Phillip Unfried, ran a strong race in the women’s 100m, clocking an impressive 11.33seconds.

Her performance highlights her consistent progressandpotentialasshe continues to train and competeinEurope.

The Raiffeisen Austrian Open served as a crucial platform for athletes like BlakeandWilliamstogauge their form and readiness as they prepare for upcoming national champions in just

overamonth’stime.

Despite the setback in the final, Blake’s seasonbest time in the heats remains a positive takeaway, indicating his capacity to compete at high levels

For Williams, the meet was an opportunity to showcase her talent and the resultsofhertrainingunder Coach Unfried’s guidance Hertimeof11 33secondsis a solid mark as she aims to continue improving and achieving new personal bests

USA bowled out Bangladesh for 138 to make it 2-0.

Yohan Blake and Christania Williams were impressive in their respective 100m at Raiffeisen Austrian Open.

Mavericks stand tall against Timberwolves with big effort around the rim

MINNEAPOLIS

(AP)

—Fewteamscanmatchthe size of the Minnesota Timberwolveswiththeirtrio oftowersinNBADefensive Player of the Year Rudy Gobert, four-time All-Star Karl-Anthony Towns and Sixth Man of the Year Naz Reid. The revamped Dallas Mavericks showed they might just be able to stand tallagainstMinnesota.

Dereck Lively II, the 7foot-1 rookie Dallas acquired on draft night after hewasselected12thoverall, and 6-10 Daniel Gafford, who was a trade-deadline pickup in February, had a sizeable impact around the rim Wednesday night in Game 1 of the Western Conferencefinals,a108-105 victoryfortheMavericks.

“If anything, with our team and our defense, the way that we’re built, the lengthandsizethatwehave,

we can’t allow points in the paint,” Towns said “Our biggest advantage in the leagueisthethree-biglineup thatwehave.Wecan’tallow that So we’ve got to be tougherinthere.”

With Lively leading the way off the bench, Dallas’ center duo altered the game with its rim protection and rebounding. The Mavericks o u t r e b o u n d e d t h e Timberwolves 48-40, had eightblocksandhelda62-38 advantage on points in the paint. “When you have that many points in the paint against the No. 1 team defensively, we’ll take it, if that’s what you’re going to giveus,”DallascoachJason Kidd said. Lively finished with nine points and 11 rebounds, including four offensive boards, to go with two blocks. Gafford added nine rebounds, with four on the offensive end. “I’ve got

to do a better job on the rebounds,”saidGobert,who had just seven rebounds. “I can’t let these guys just get offensive rebounds. I’ll be better ” With Lively and Gafford inside, Minnesota didn’ttrytoattackthepaint. The Timberwolves took 49 oftheir89shotsfrom3-point territory Towns finished 6of-20 shooting, including 2 of9from3.

Wolves star Anthony Edwards, who bullied his waytotherimatmanypoints during the first two playoff series, also settled to shoot fromtheoutside.

Twelve of Edwards’ 16 shotswerefrom3.Heended up6of16forthegameand5 of 12 from deep while scoring 19 points. Gafford and Lively sank close to the basket as opposed to Phoenix’s Jusuf Nurkic and Denver’s Nikola Jokic staying a bit higher — and

Dallas Mavericks center Dereck Lively II, left, reaches for a rebound between Minnesota Timberwolves forward Kyle Anderson, bottom, and guard Anthony Edwards (5) during the first half of Game 1 of the NBA basketball Western Conference finals, Wednesday, May 22, 2024, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)

thatthrewofftheprecocious 21-year-old. “They’re down the floor The big man, he’s notsuperhighuplikethelast

two series,” Edwards said. “Wedidn’treallyknowwhat to expect. So, came off and was open a bunch of times,

tooktheshots. I’llmakethemnexttime and live with it.”So will the Mavericks.

2024 French Open draw: 14-time champion Rafael Nadal handed nightmare draw in first round

USATODAY-Thenext, and perhaps final, stop on Rafael Nadal’s unofficial retirement tour has reaches its apex next week at the French Open, the Grand Slam where he’s won 14 titles and owns an unthinkable 112-3 overall record.

But this is a different Nadal than the one who has shown up in Paris ready to destroy everything in his wakefornearlytwodecades. He’sdaysawayfromturning 38, ranked No. 276 in the worldandhasn’treachedthe semifinal of any tournament sinceWimbledonin2022.

Alifetimeofgrindingfor everypointhaslefthisbody inwhatseemslikeaconstant state of disrepair When Nadal is healthy enough to play,helooksslowoutofthe cornersandcan’tgetenough power on his serve to win easypoints.

And yet… it’s Nadal on clay Nadal at Roland Garros Nadal willing to leave it all out there for one more run at the most important tournament in his career

That possibility of capturinggloryonelasttime, faint as it might be, made Nadal’s placement in the draw one of the more

intriguing storylines of the tournament.

Yesterday, we got the answer, and it wasn’t good newsforNadalfans.

Therandomdrawplaced Nadal opposite No. 4 seed Alexander Zverev, who just won the Italian Open last week and is unquestionably one of the favorites to win the title. This matchup is stunning for Zverev as well: In the 2022 French semifinals,theywerelocked inanair-tightbattleformore than three hours when Zverev suffered a devastatingankleinjurythat would require surgery and tookhimoutofactionforthe rest of the year Nadal went on to win his 22nd Grand Slamtitle.

Despite everything Nadal has accomplished in Paris and his 7-3 head-tohead record against Zverev, he goes into this match as a hugeunderdog.Ifheloses,it will likely be his last time ever playing at Roland Garros, bringing an end to the most dominant run at a major tournament in tennis history And it may be the last time we ever see him in competition.

Here’s everything you need to know about the FrenchOpendraw:

No clear favorite for men’stitle

This has been a strange yearinmen’stennis.Beyond his mediocre results, No. 1 Novak Djokovic isn’t passing the eye test lately and has fired several longtime members of his coaching team since losing to Jannik Sinner in the AustralianOpensemifinals.

How do you know he’s searching for something? Djokovic is playing right nowinasmalltournamentin Geneva, which is highly unusual preparation for him the week before a Grand Slam.

Djokovic has been candid in interviews that motivation, after setting the men’s all-time record with his 24th Grand Slam last year, has been an issue. Can

he turn things around in Paris?

But Djokovic isn’t the onlycontenderwithquestion marks.

Carlos Alcaraz, who seemed poised to win everything last year after beating Djokovic in the Wimbledon final, is dealing with a forearm injury and hasn’t looked right when he’s been on the court in recent weeks Sinner, unquestionably the best playerintheworldthisyear, hurthishipinthegymduring the Madrid tournament and pulled out of Rome in his homecountry

There were questions whether he would even be healthy enough to play in Paris.

This may be an opportunityforsomeonelike

Zverev, Casper Ruud, Andrey Rublev or Stefanos Tsitsipas — all of whom have a good track record on clay — to win their first GrandSlamtitle.

Iga Œwi¹tek looms over thewomen ˜/L˜/sfield

On the cusp of her 23rd birthday, Œwi¹tek enters as theheavyfavoritetowinher fourth French Open title. Though some players have beenabletochipawayalittle bitatherdominanceonother surfaces, she’s still almost unbeatable on clay and comes into Roland Garros off winning titles in Madrid and Rome “ beating No. 2 ArynaSabalenkainthefinal bothtimes.

Another Œwi¹tekSabalenka fina³ meeting in Parisseemslikely

They have separated fromthefieldthisyear,with Elena Rybakina able to sometimes make it a trio at the top when she ˜/L˜/s healthy

Having said that, Œwi¹tek ˜/L˜/s path to the finallookslikeaprettytough oneonpaper

Former No. 1 Naomi Osaka, who has been steadilyimprovingsinceher return to the tour after childbirth, is a possible opponent in the second

round. Former French Open winner Barbora Krejcikova looms as a possible fourthround opponent. And in the quarterfinals,Œwi¹tekcould face either American Danielle Collins (32-9 this year with two titles) or reigning Wimbledon champ and former French finalist MarketaVondrousova.

If Œwi¹tek can get it done once again in Paris, ChrisEvert ˜/L˜/srecordof seven women ˜/L˜/s titles willofficiallybeinjeopardy IsCocoGauffascending orlevelingoff?

It’s been difficult to assess where last year’s US Open champion stacks up thisyear GauffisrankedNo. 3, but she hasn’t reached a final since opening the seasonwithawininawarmup tournament for the Australian Open Her forehand is clearly more consistent than it was last year,butherservehasfallen apart under pressure lately Gauff isn’t playing her best tennis, but she’s still putting up a lot of good results including a semifinal last weekinRome.

Though Gauff loves the redclayandmadetheFrench final in 2022, Swiatek is her biggest impediment to winningasecondmajor

Rafael Nadal has won the French Open title 14 times during his career.

Petra/ExxonMobilU14Championshipkicksofftomorrow

The highly anticipated Fifth Annual ExxonMobil Boys and Girls Schools

Under-14 Football Tournamentissettokickoff tomorrow (Saturday, May 25) at the Ministry of Education ground, featuring an exciting lineup of eleven matches in the Girls’ division. The tournament’s

openingroundwillstartwith Three Mile Secondary facing East Ruimveldt at 10:45 AM. Simultaneously, Abram Zuil will compete against New Central High, and Charity Secondary will challenge Marian Academy intheothermatch.

As the day progresses, Cotton Tree Secondary will

go head-to-head with West Minster Secondary, Bartica Secondary will aim to outplay Dolphin Secondary, Santa Rosa will compete against New Amsterdam Secondary, and Tucville Secondary will battle New Campbellville Secondary in match#6.

T h e e x c i t e m e n t

continues with Annandale SecondarytakingonCarmel Secondary in match #7, WaramuriTopclashingwith the Institute of Academic Excellence (IAE), followed by South Ruimveldt versus Christ Church, and President’s College facing offagainstWestRuimveldt.

In the previous

tournament, Waramuri Top emerged victorious in the Girls’ Division, while Bartica Secondary triumphed in the Boys’ competition This year’s event marks the largest participation yet, highlighting the growth and development of another Petra-organizedtournament.

The tournament is coordinated by the Petra Organisation, sponsored by ExxonMobil, and supported by notable entities such as Stena Drilling, Demerara Distillers Limited (DDL) through the Pepsi brand, MVP Sports, and the Ministry of Culture, Youth andSports.

Jamaica’s Isabelle David and Alana Walker advance to final of women’s all-around at Pan Am Gymnastics Championships in Colombia

SportsMax - Both members of Jamaica’s female gymnastics team of Isabelle David and Alana Walkerhaveadvancedtothe final round of the women’s all-around category at the P a n A m e r i c a n Championships being held inSantaMaria,Colombia.

David’s score in the qualification round for all-around was 47 967 which placed her 12th while Walker’s score of 47 067 placed her 16th among the 24 finalists David was also named as a reserve for the final rounds of both the beam and floor exercisecategories.

Her scores in the beam and floor were 12 267 and 12 200, respectively

“I am so excited to have made it to allaround finals and be a reserve for two events,” DavidtoldSportsmax.tv “It

“Although

I’m

I’m

From left: Alana Walker and Isabelle David.

Anew championwill be crowned in the Guinness ‘Greatest of the Streets’ Linden edition, as Silver Bullets eliminated threetime winner Swag Entertainment 1-0 in the quarterfinal round on Wednesday evening at the ChristianburgHardcourt.

Witnessed by a large crowd,afirst-halfgoalfrom ColwynDrakesintheeighth minute proved enough to dethrone the three-time defending champion. The Silver Bullets unit will now oppose the Spaniards in the semifinal round after the latter squeaked past YMCA 1-0. Shaka Lewis found the back of the net in the 17th minute.

TheTurfPresidentoutfit dismantled the Pro Ballers 3-0 Kelroy Anthony recorded a ‘Guinness Goal’ [a goal scored in the final threeminutesofnormaltime counts as two] in the 29th minute.

Breaking the initial deadlock was Anthony Layneintheninthminute.

Turf President will now o p p

semifinal round, after the latter beat Excuse the Rush 2-0. Second-half goals from Terry Phillip and Roshon Kitt in the 22nd and 24th minutes,respectively,sealed thewin.

The semifinal, third place playoff, and eventual final will occur on Monday attheRetrieveHardcourt.

The winner of the tournament will walk away with $500,000 and the championshiptrophy

They will also earn an automatic berth to the national championship, which is pencilled for AugustinGeorgetown.

Meanwhile, the second, third, and fourth-place finishers will pocket $400,000, $300,000, and $250,000 apiece and the corresponding accolade

The tournament is also sponsored by Colours Boutique,whohasprovided the playing kits for the entiretyoftheseason.

Jamaican quarter-miler Ackeem

Bloomfield retires at age 27

SportsMax - Jamaican quarter-miler Ackeem

Bloomfield has announced hisretirementfromtrackand field at the age of 27, Sportsmax TV has confirmed.

The two-time World Championship 4x400m relay silver medalist has reportedly informed the Jamaica Athletics Administrative Association of his decision and has also requested to be removed from the Registered Testing Pool(RTP)withtheJamaica Anti-Doping Commission (JADCO).

M a r i e Ta v a r e s , ExecutiveBoardMemberof the JAAA confirmed Bloomfield’s retirement yesterday,saying“Hehas. I got confirmation yesterday, either yesterday ofthedaybefore.”

Tavares opined that it sounds as if Bloomfield, a former Kingston College star,willbeconcentratingon his academics but was otherwise uncertain about hismotivations. Bloomfield

ho holds the distinction of being the second-fastest J

400m with a personal best of 43.94 seconds, first burstontothesceneas apromisingyoungtalent. He became the first Jamaican schoolboy to b

heralded a bright future in athletics

However, his career trajectory was hindered by a series of prolonged injuries and personal challenges, including the emotional toll of

Outdoor Championships in 2018, Bloomfield signed with Puma and joined the MVP International training groupinFlorida.

Guyanese players Robin Low, Regan Pollard,JosephMekdeci,andDennisDiasare currently competing in the BCQS Masters Squash Championship in Bridgetown, Barbados.

The tournament kicked off on Tuesday with an exhilarating start as Dennis Dias secured an impressive victory against the UK’s Trevor Dunkley. Building on his success from day one, Dias participated in twoMen’sOver-65matchesonthefollowing day DaytwobroughtmixedresultsforDias; he faced a 3-0 defeat against Trinidad and Tobago’s Richard Hart but rebounded with a dominant 3-0 triumph over USA’s Auchee Lee,defeatingLee11-2,11-3,and11-3.

In the Men’s 45-54 Category, Regan PollardclashedwithBarbados’MartinBryan, emerging victorious with a commanding 112,11-3,and11-7win.

Day two also saw Robin Low competing in the Men’s 55-64 Category where he was defeated by Barbados’ Peter Harris with scoresof11-7,11-6,and11-3.

Additionally, Mekdeci, Dias, and Pollard featured in separate divisional matches yesterday Details of these matches will be covered in the forthcoming edition. The tournamentrunsfromMay21toMay26.

Silver Bullets football team eliminated defending champion Swag Entertainment.

ICC T20 World Cup trophy makes stop at historic St. George’s Cathedral

Cricket officials and players with the trophy at St. George’s Cathedral.

Guyana’s historic St George’s Cathedral had its grounds graced by the ICC T20WorldCuptrophyalong with members of the ICC team, cricketers and students.

Yesterday’s final stop of the Trophy Tour saw more youths being exposed to such a magical moment in Guyanaandbyextensionthe WestIndies.

The Guyana Harpy

Eagles players were

accompaniedbymembersof the ICC team along with Ambassador Ramnaresh Sarwan and ICC Head of Public Relations and Communications Damon Leonamongothers. A number of school Childrengottheopportunity to mix and mingle while speaking with some of the local heroes as they prepare fortheupcomingspectacle.

Photo ops, chats, smiles and laughter filled the

atmosphere yesterday afternoon, following up the First Lady’s hosting of the kids from the Hopes Children Home on Wednesday; as part of the tour

The event concluded with a ride along the K i n g s t o n S e a w a l l Esplanade, wrapping the tourupwhichfeaturedatrip to Kaieteur Falls, visit to State House and other engagements.

Mercenary aim for success as OSCL T20 bowls off tomorrow

Heavyweight Mercenary will be one of the five teams set to begin participation in this year’s Ontario Softball Cricket League (OSCL) A Division T20 tournament at various venues across the Greater Toronto Area tomorrow, Saturday

Speaking with Captain Looknauth Ramsuchit, a formerBerbiceyouthcricket and Canada-based Guyanese, he revealed that Mercenary are high in confidence and ready to showcasetheirtalentagain.

They will open their campaign against rivals Better-Hope at Dean Park facility in Scarborough where a keen contest is highlyanticipatedtounfold. Proceedings commencing at 9:00 am. Mercenary will be back in action the following day against Leguan Warriors, a team that dominated B Division last year with some resounding performances and elevated toADivision.

“We have got to play competitive cricket; new season, obviously new

challenges but we [are] prepared and ready to go,” Ramsuchit, the attacking right-handed batter, commented. Quizzed on the composition of the team, in 2023,therewasaplethoraof seasoned campaigners and top-notchsoftballplayers.

He responded: “Our teamisalwaysbalancedand I w o u l d s a y v e r y competitive; we have some experienced players in both departmentsandasIsaiditis about a good cricket from ballone.”

In2023,Mercenarywere beaten by Berbice Vipers in the T20 final, while BetterHope got the better of them in a thrilling 15-overs championship encounter However, Mercenary kept possession of the 10-10 trophy while they retained the Regular Season trophy having finished at the top of the points table by the completion of the preliminaryroundinthe20overscompetition.

They had started the season as champions in every tournament after total dominance in 2022 The other two teams in A

Division are: Enmore and CaribbeanSensation.Allthe teams are scheduled to be in actionthisweekend.

The four sides in the B Division which will kick off simultaneouslyare:Malvern

All-Stars, Ramblers, Bacchus Ruff Ryders and Essequibo.

Mercenary will bank greatly on Avish Rukhram, Ramsuchit, Farouk Hussain, Avinash Sookdeo, Raiz Kadir,RichardDiaz,Yadram “Lara” Shaun Deonandan, MuniramKarranandZaheer Allard in the batting while their bowling will hinge aroundthestalwartSatrohan “Blade” Balkarran, Bobby Parasnauth, Deonandan, Rabindra Diaram, Amit Rukhram, Sookdeo and AftabShamsudeen. Meanwhile, the T20 competitionwillbeplayedin honour of former President of the OSCL Kenny Girdharyforthesecondyear in succession. The current presidentisanotherCanadabased Guyanese Shiv Persaud, while another competition to be featured another past leader Albert Ramcharran.

Hendricks’87invainasKingshinesonhomesoilforWestIndies

ESPNcricinfo - T20 World Cup co-hosts West Indies got on the front foot intheirfinalpreparationsfor the tournament with a commanding 28-run win over South Africa, their biggest margin of victory over them batting first Neither side had their firstchoice XI available, with some players rested or still at the IPL, but West Indies will be pleased with their dominance at home, especially as this was the first international at Sabina Parkinalmosttwoyears.

Home boy Brandon King,captaininginplaceof RovmanPowell,setthetone with an aggressive 45-ball 79. He also shared in a 79run second-wicket partnership with Kyle Mayers, who is not in the T20WorldCupsquad.King was the mainstay as West Indies built a healthy platform with scores of 64 for 1 in the Powerplay and 109 for 1 at the halfway stage, but they lost 6 for 40 between the 14th and final

overtofinishon175for8.

South Africa will have been encouraged with their bowling comeback, especially the early signs from Ottneil Baartman. On T20I debut, Baartman dismissed Johnson Charles early on but then pulled up inhisdeliverystrideafter10 balls, with what looked like aleftkneeniggle. However,hecompleted theoverandwentontotake 3 for 26.AllrounderAndile Phehlukwayo also finished with three wickets in his quotaoffourovers.

South Africa’s much talked-about top order was reduced to 35 for 3 in the fifth over and neither Quinton de Kock nor Ryan Rickelton made it into doublefigureswiththelatter struggling to find the boundary

While West Indies hit seven fours and eight sixes in the first 10 overs, South Africa scored eight fours and one six. South Africa needed 99 runs off the last 10 overs and though Reeza

Hendrickswentonacareerbest87off51balls,hissurge came too late. Gudakesh Motie’s 3 for 25 and Obed McCoy’s 2 for 15 meant South Africa were too far behind and eventually dismissed for 147 in the finalover KingBrandon

On his home ground, and in his first match as an international captain, King dominated South Africa upfront and set the tone for West Indies comeback to SabinaPark.Heenjoyedthe bulkofthestrikeinthefirst three overs and capitalised on that. He faced 16 out of 18 balls and scored 28, including three fours and twosixes.

By contrast, Charles, only saw two balls and had not scored a run. Charles became Baartman’s first international wicket but King went on to record his fastestT20Ififtyoff26balls and was closing in on his highest score in a display headlined by innovative movement at the crease whichincludedexposinghis

stumps Phehlukwayo eventually benefitted from Kingmakingroom,whenhe sent down a full, wide ball that King had to reach for, and toe-ended it to van der Dussen,whorantohisright from the covers. King was dismissed at the end of the 11th over for 79, six fewer thanhisT20Icareerbest.

West Indies’ middle ordergivesway

After King’s start, West Indies should have been eyeingatotalabove200but their middle order was unable to back up their stand-incaptain’sstart.

No-one from Andre Fletcher down was able to get into double figures and Matthew Forde’s 5 was the highestscoreoutsidethetop four Fletcher and Fabian Allen were guilty of trying toplayPhehlukwayoacross the line and were bowled a n d t r a p p e d l b w respectively, while Akeal Hosein and Forde were deceived by Baartman’s variations Hosein was bowled by a wobble seam

delivery and Forde pulled a knuckle ball square of the wicket. Motie’s run-out in the final over meant West Indies lost 6 for 40 in the final third of their innings.

Forde’sfirst

After figures of 0 for 54 in his first T20I, against England last December, Fordemayhavewonderedif he was due to chase leather again when de Kock hit his firstballforfour

It was a remarkably timed shot, with no footwork at all, as de Kock struck Forde straight down theground.

But the young West Indian had the perfect riposte. His next delivery was wide of off stump, de Kockneglectedtomovehis feet again and nicked behind.

De Kock’s dismissal for 4 meant that he has only crossed fifty three times in 30innings,allinT20s,since his ODI retirement last November and has a top scoreof12fromhislastfive tripstothecrease.

AnotherHendrickshalfcentury Hendricks controversially missed out on a spot in South Africa’s starting XI at the 2022 T20 World Cup despite scoring four fifties in succession in thelead-upbecausehecould not displace captain Temba Bavuma.

But there should be no reason for him not to start the tournament this time. His 87 was his 10th T20 half-century of 2024 and 49th in his career and was the standout knock in a disappointingSouthAfrican battingperformance. He was the only player to score more than 20. The h ig h lig h ts o f h is performance were the way he timed the ball early on and then showed off his power hitting towards the end, albeit too late to take SouthAfricaovertheline.

Scores: West Indies 175 for8(King79,Baartman326,Phehlukwayo3-28)beat South Africa 147 (Hendricks 87, Motie 3-25, Forde3-27)by28runs.

Businessman Sripaul is new owner of Guyana’s champion horse Spankhhurst

T h i r t y - f o u r- o l d

businessman Jermaine Sripal became a new horse ownerwithabigentrytothe fraternity when he

purchased Guyana’s champion horse for 2023, andthecurrentleadinghorse for2024,Spankhurst.

The businessman, who hailsfromNewAmsterdam,

is the owner of J’s Supermarket He was compelled to be a horse

owner,witnessingtherecent growthinthesport.

S r i p a l h a d t h e opportunity to attend a few races as a fan, and with his vision, he was impressed with the significant growth anddevelopmentinthesport ofkings.

The businessman, who operates two supermarkets inNewAmsterdamBerbice, andoneinGeorgetown,said if he was to become a horse

owner, he wants the best horse in Guyana, and that was the Jumbo Jet’s superstarhorse,Spankhurst. Sripal’sheftyoffercouldnot havebeenresistedbyJumbo JetRacingStables.

The new horse owner, who operates the biggest supermarket in Region #6, will run under J’s Racing Stables.Startinghisjourney withabang,Sripaliskeenon investing in more horses. HisfocuswillbetheGuyana Cup which is slated for August11.

J’sRacingStablesracing colors will be blue and red silk which has already been ordered from Trinidad and Tobago.

Hehasalsosecuredother horse racing equipment to make his grand debut as a horse owner In relation to where his horse racing stables will be based, Sripal iscontemplatinghislocation in Region #5 or Region #6, but his main priority will be safety

AccordingtotheGuyana Horse racing calculations, Spankhurst has earned G$4.5 million while racing thisyear

Thehorseoftheyearfor 2023, Spankhurst, has had four starts this year, and has securedtwofirstplaces.

Butcher’s Independence pool competition set for Sunday

Butcher’s Chill bar, Restaurant

competition will be held on Sundayat137SheriffStreet, Campbellville, formerly Buddy’spoolhouse.

Entrance fee is $3,000 and the winner will take home a trophy and $70,000, runner up a trophy and $40,000,thirdplaceatrophy and$20,000andfourthplace atrophyand$10,000.Action commencesat15:00hrs.

The event is being sponsored by D and S

BeveragesandGrocery,Lyft Gym, Smash Therapy and King’sLiquorGuyana

(Trophy @ cash) being presented by Sachin Ramdeholl (right) of D & S Ramdeholl & Son Jewellery to Andre Boyce (Butcher) of Butcher’s Chill Bar, Restaurant and Grill.

Formerly owned by Jumbo Jet, Guyana’s champion horse Spankhurst has a new owner in Jermaine Sripal. New

Jermaine Sripal.

Brandon King led the way for West Indies with the bat (file photo). (Getty Images)

Hendricks’ 87 in vain as King shines on home soil for West Indies West

ICC T20 World Cup trophy makes stop at historic St. George’s Cathedral

Students of several schools around the city along with cricket officials and players with the trophy In front of St. George’s Cathedral.

Gudakesh Motie (right) was on target for the West Indies with the ball. (Getty Images)